Mysore/Mysuru: In yet another measure for stopping the spread of the deadly COVID-19 contagion, which has caused havoc across the globe, the District Administration has ordered conduct of RT-PCR tests for free at all Malls in the city from today.

On an experimental basis, the Health Department conducted RT-PCR tests at Forum Centre City in Nazarbad and Mall of Mysore on M.G. Road on Sunday, during which 450 tests were conducted on staff and willing shoppers at Mall of Mysore and 260 tests at Forum Centre City. After the conduct of the tests, the samples were sent to laboratories and the results are expected by this evening.

District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. T. Amarnath told SOM that starting from today, regular tests will be conducted at all shopping malls in the city for free and it is mandatory for all staff to undergo the test. However, though the test is not compulsory for shoppers, the tests will be conducted on those showing symptoms and others who voluntarily come forward for testing.

Asserting that the test will be conducted free of cost, Dr. Amarnath said that measures have been taken for issuing test reports in a day. Noting that as Malls are usually full of shoppers during weekends, he said that the tests will be ramped up on weekends and added that there will be regular tests on all other week days. He further said that every staff of Malls are required to undergo the test once   in a fortnight.