International passengers can now get themselves tested at Delhi airport for Rs 5,000

International passengers, arriving at Delhi airport without any COVID19 negative certificate, do not need to have to go for quarantine and can also take an onward flight, as the airport will soon start a COVID testing facility that will generate reports within six hours.

Passengers arriving at the airport can get themselves tested by paying Rs 5,000 and this will also include a stay at the airport’s lounge till the report comes.

“In case of a positive result, the passenger will be processed in line with applicable ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) protocols by the State authorities. This will help the authorities concerned to avoid passengers affected with the disease from coming in close contact with those already having RT-PCR negative reports. Those testing negative can continue their onward journey,” the airport operator said in a statement.

According to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) guidelines, international arriving passengers having RT-PCR negative certificate would be exempted from institutional quarantine granted by the State authorities and will be allowed for onward air journey. This exemption will be based on a negative RT-PCR test report for which the test was conducted within 96 hours before undertaking the journey.

Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), the company that runs Delhi airport, has collaborated with Genestrings Diagnostic Centre, a Delhi-based laboratory, which is currently associated with Delhi government to test COVID-19 samples to conduct the tests.

“The pilot initiative has been taken to ensure testing of all arriving international transfer passengers scheduled to board a domestic connecting flight post arrival in Delhi Airport. The COVID-19 testing laboratory at Delhi Airport has been adequately equipped for testing and sample collection that will be conducted in compliance with the protocols established by ICMR and NABL,” Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO-DIAL, was quoted in the release.

This strategy will complement India’s strategy to further relax borders. “As India enters a crucial stage of further relaxing International borders, it is imperative a comprehensive strategy is put in place,” Rajat Arora, Director, Genestrings Diagnostic Centre was quoted in the release.