Question : High Rate of RT PCR Test at Airport

(a) whether the Government is aware of the financial burden that the passengers mainly the expatriates travelling to certain countries have been facing on account of the high rate of RT-PCR tests at airports and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is aware that the rate of RT-PCR test at airports is higher than the rate outside the airports and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to take necessary steps to avoid this test by co-ordinating with the authorities in the concerned countries or to reduce the rate of RT-PCR test and if so, the details thereof?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

(a) to (c): Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) in coordination with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is implementing the COVID-19 related guidelines for international passengers arriving at Indian Airports. To facilitate the movement of passengers, airport operators extend the services of testing facilities at airports through accredited Laboratories. ;
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The rates for RT-PCR / Rapid RT-PCR are mostly decided and notified by the respective State/UT Governments, which are adhered to by the laboratories operating at the airports.

Based on the time taken for COVID test reports, waiting time and requirement of the destination countries, passengers may choose standard RT-PCR or Rapid RT-PCR testing facilities. The charges for Standard RT-PCR is around Rs. 500/-. The charges for Rapid RT-PCR range from Rs. 1975-3000/-. This variation is mainly due to the different technologies used for testing.