Pune: In view of the rising COVID19 cases in the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has made RT PCR tests mandatory for all travellers from Kerala.

The passengers arriving in the city from Kerala state will have to produce a RT PCR negative test report on their arrival. Those passengers whose test is negative will be allowed to travel to their destination while others will have to be isolated or quarantined as per the procedure.

The state government had previously made it mandatory for travellers from Kerala to carry a COVID-19 negative report while entering the state as a precautionary measure. The state government guidelines state that the RTPCR sample collection should be done within 72 hours prior to the scheduled time of arrival of the travellers in the state.

The PMC has extended these travel restrictions in the city jurisdiction from February 18 onwards. PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar issued orders related to these restrictions on Thursday (February 18) afternoon.

Pune is also witnessing a high positivity rate of COVID19 cases since the past few days. Especially areas like Aundh, Baner, Bibwewadi, Hadapsar, Mundhwa, Kothrud, Bavdhan, Warje and Karve Nagar are recording the highest number of cases in a single day within the city limits.

The PMC has recorded a total of 428 cases in a single day on February 17 and is also mulling the option of re-constituting the containment zones within the city. The containment zones were reduced to zero on the new year eve.