With the new travel regulations from UAE to India having kicked in from 23rd February, the costs for Covid-19 testing too have increased considerably. As per the current rules, passengers are now required to pay for two series of tests.
The Airport authorities and travel agents have advised passengers to carry enough money to pay for the molecular or PCR tests, based on the airports. Passengers have been advised to carry at least Dh.2000 (Dh.100) per passenger depending on their destination as the airports in India are charging different prices.
Travellers from the UAE are required to undergo self-paid molecular tests at the airport as per the latest Covid-19 travel protocol. Upon arrival, tests are carried out despite the negative RT-PCR test report that are posted on the Air Suvidha portal prior to departure.
The new travel rules are applicable to all passengers, including children of all ages.
With these regulations and costs still not clearly spelt out, the Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram airports experienced some chaos, the Managing Director of a popular travel agency said speaking to the media.
At present, testing is being done at eight airports in India with airports in Mumbai, Kerala, Kolkata, and Delhi being among these.
Passengers with negative PCR test results at the Indian airports are not required to undergo quarantine.
The community leaders and social workers from the UAE have been appealing to the State governments to waive the second test upon arrival.
The Chairman of Pravasi Bandhu Welfare Trust, KV Shamsudheen has appealed to the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan to stop the paid PCR test being done at the airport as only passengers with negative results are departing from the UAE.
“Things were chaotic at airports in Kerala as many passengers were not aware they have to undergo a second round of testing which they had to pay for. Inspite of a valid PCR negative certificate, passengers are being asked to undergo an additional PCR test in the Indian airport priced at approximately Dh.1800. It will be an additional burden for the passengers with financial struggles,” Shamsudeen said.
He further pointed out that majority of those returning to Kerala at already undergoing severe financial distress due to salary reduction and business failures.
The on-arrival Covid-19 tests in India are priced as below:
- Kerala (Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram): Rs1,500 to 2,000
- Mumbai: Rs850
- Hyderabad: Rs1,000
- Ahmedabad: Around Rs800
- Bangalore: RTPCR Express Rs3,000 (30-minute processing time) and RTPCR (normal) Rs500, four-hour processing time
- Chennai: Rs1,200 to 2,500
- Delhi: Rs800
- Kolkata: Rs950
Note: All the rates are per person, and various rules are applicable at the airports.
