Travelling Abroad? Delhi Airport Begins Covid-19 Tests For International Departures; Know Price, How Early You Need To Arrive

As Delhi Airport begins Coronavirus (Covid-19) tests for outbound internatioal passengers, here is all you need to know with respect to the price of the test and how long it takes for results to be produced.

(Image: Twitter/ @AAI_Official)

New Delhi: International passengers who are leaving India via flights at the Delhi airport can now get themselves tested for the Covid-19 infection before their departure. Genestrings Diagnostic Center operates the testing lab at the airport and reported the development on Saturday.  Till now, the Covid-19 testing facility was available only for arriving passengers after it was started on September 12. "The facility has now been extended to air travellers leaving India for other countries. Notably, international travel rules require passengers travelling from one country to another to produce Covid negative reports,” a press release by Genestrings stated. However, the passengers have to arrive at the airport 7-8 hours before their scheduled flight to take the test as the lab uses RT-PCR tests and provides reports within 4-6 hours. "The test is available 24/7 and is priced at Rs 2400 as mandated by the Delhi government," the release said. "As more people are now taking up international travel, Delhi Airport authorities felt the need to provide the testing facility to outbound passengers as well,” said Rajat Arora, Director, Genestrings Diagnostic Center. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) had started the Covid-19 testing facility on September 12 at the multi-level car parking area of Terminal 3 in collaboration with Genestrings Diagnostic Centre, which is a group company of Yashoda Hospitals. Scheduled international flights have been suspended in India in March because of the Coronavirus spread. However, special international passenger flights have been operating in India under Vande Bharat Mission since May and under bilateral arrangements formed between India and other countries since July. (With Agency Inputs) WATCH | After losing job in lockdown, Balbir turns his scooter into a Dhaba