Mumbai Airport Launches Testing Facility

After Delhi, Mumbai airport has launched COVID-19 testing facility for all arriving passengers.&nbspThe tests can be availed at Rs1,600 onwards. According to authorities, the new testing facility would help international passengers opt out of institutional quarantine (depending on their test result).

The RT-PCR testing facility, which follows standards of the ICMR and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), will be expanded to departing passengers shortly, says a statement by Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL).

"In compliance with the standards of ICMR and NABL, the RT-PCR test is available at a charge of Rs1,600 onwards. Currently, this facility is operational at the airport for all arriving passengers all international passengers are advised to book their connecting flight with a gap of 8-12 hours,&rdquo MIAL said in a press release.

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The 24X7 coronavirus testing facility at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport comes days after the Delhi airport set up one. According to the latest directive of the civil aviation ministry, airports have been asked to implement testing facilities for international transit passengers booked on a connecting domestic flight.

Passengers can make an online booking for testing on suburbandiagnostics.com or register at the arrival terminal&rsquos helpdesk to enrol for the test.

Each passenger will receive a digital and physical copy of the test report within eight hours. International passengers can display the results to opt out of the institutional quarantine and remain in a 14-day home quarantine instead. Once the test samples are collected, passengers can either choose to remain at the waiting lounge where food and beverage arrangements will be made, or can book a room at the airport hotel, with the approval of the authorities.

"Passengers who have tested negative will be allowed to proceed onward to their final destinations they will receive a stamp indicating a home quarantine by the state officials. In the event of a positive report, passengers will be transferred by the state authorities to a designated institution," MIAL said.