Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar mandated on January 15, 2022, that all those who buy self-test Covid kits must show their Aadhaar card number to chemists. She further called upon the people to take responsibility for their self-test and report to authorities if they are Covid-positive.

“Mandating Aadhaar card number for buying the kit does away with the question of where a person bought the test and when. Manufacturers will also be similarly monitored,” she said during a media briefing.

As per official data, as many as 3,549 people tested Covid-positive out of the 1,06,987 Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) distributed in the area by January 13. However, by January 14, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) voiced a concern about Covid cases going unreported.

For this reason, the authorities have mandated registration of Aadhaar card numbers for the procurement. This may complete RAT for workers or individuals who do not have Aadhaar cards. However, Pednekar assured that the move will also prevent the illegal sale of such tests that may be “unhygienic”. On questioning, she also said that the sale of online RATs will also be monitored, although she did not elaborate the details.

Regarding Covid-19, the official said that the situation was improving with most people having to quarantine at home for seven days with mild symptoms or sans any symptoms. However, she urged people to inform authorities or upload their positive reports on the portal to ensure that proper data is maintained.

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