New Delhi: In view of the fast-spreading Omicron variant in the country, pre-booking of RT-PCR test has been made mandatory at 6 airports of the country. Following the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, this rule has been implemented for passengers coming from the highest risk countries. According to the notification issued by the government, the Air Suvidha Portal will be amended so that pre-booking can be done for people coming from high-risk countries or staying there for 14 days.
Let us inform you that the 6 airports where pre-booking of RT-PCR test has been made mandatory include Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. It has been informed by the ministry that it has been made mandatory at only 6 airports so that after this change the system can see the situation. If everything goes well at these 6 airports, then it will be made mandatory at other airports as well. RT-PCR test is generally considered to be the most accurate test to detect, track and study the symptoms of coronavirus in a person.
RT-PCR test is done to detect corona infection in India. Sometimes up to 15 thousand samples are taken in a day. It takes up to 8 hours for the report of this sample to come. In such a situation, now if a passenger is coming from at-risk countries, then he will have to pre-book the RT-PCR test before landing at 6 airports in India.
How to pre-book the RT-PCR test at the airport?
- First of all go to the official website of the international airport of the city you are coming to.
- On the top panel of the website, you will see the option of ‘Book Covid-19 Test’
- Now give information about traveling (eg, International Arrival)
- Fill all the personal details like name, e-mail id, mobile number, aadhar card/passport number, address, date of appointment, time slot.
- After providing all the information, select the test to be conducted. (eg RT-PCR, Rapid PCR test)
- Follow all the guidelines that may be asked in the meantime and book a slot for your RT-PCR test.
How much will the RT-PCR test cost?
A passenger will have to pay Rs 500 for the RT-PCR test, while Rs 3,500 for the rapid PCR test. RT-PCR test will come within six-eight hours. Whereas after the second test i.e. rapid PCR test, the result will come in only 30 minutes to one and a half hours. Apart from this, passengers can reschedule the appointment or even cancel the booking altogether.
