Kerala offers free Covid test for those who arrive from abroad

Kerala health minister KK Shailaja on Friday has made it clear that the Covid-19 (RT-PCR) test will be free of cost for those who are arriving from abroad.

Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja said the state has made Covid-19 (RT-PCR) test mandatory on arrival for all who came from abroad.

She also said that in the wake of more cases, Kerala government is increasing its testing rate and urged people to strictly follow the measures implemented by the government to prevent further spread of Covid-19.

Minister Shailaja also said that mobile RT-PCR testing labs in the state would be operational from Saturday on wards. The charge for the Covid-19 test is only Rs 448 and the government has also decided to cancel the licenses of laboratories if they do not provide test results within 24 hours, an India Today report said.

Mobile labs have been set up in the state as part of maximizing the number of RT-PCR tests, considered the gold-standard of Covid-19 testing.

Private labs in Kerala are charging Rs 1,700 for RT-PCR tests while mobile labs charge only Rs 448, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja added.

The central government had earlier this week informed that foreign returnees should undergo mandatory covid (RT-PCR) test at the airport at their own expense.