Delhi Airport Starts Coronavirus Testing For International Departures

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has now started the coronavirus testing (RT-PCR Test) facility for all international departures; The RT-PCR testing first starts operating on September 12 at the Delhi airport and was available only for arriving passengers till now.

All International travelers who are taking their flights from the Delhi airport can now get themselves tested for coronavirus right before their departure, Genestrings Diagnostic Center which operates the testing lab at the airport, on Saturday.

“The facility has now been extended to air travelers leaving India for other countries. Notably, international travel rules require passengers traveling from one country to another to produce COVID negative reports,” Genestrings said in a press release.

The Genestrings Diagnostic Center uses RT-PCR tests and provides the test reports within 4-6 hours. It means that passengers should reach the airport at least 7-8 hours prior to their scheduled flight to take the test.

“The RT-PCR testing facility is available 24/7 and is priced at ₹2400 as mandated by the Delhi government,” the release said.

Rajat Arora, Director of Genestrings Diagnostic Center said that “As more people are now traveling to international destinations, Airport authorities of Delhi airport felt the necessity to provide the testing facility to outbound passengers as well”

The press release further said that Genestrings Diagnostics has also increased the manpower of lab technicians at the facility as it is expecting a high demand for RT-PCR testing before departure in the coming days.

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) started the COVID-19 testing facility on September 12 at the multi-level car parking lot of Terminal 3 in collaboration with Genestrings Diagnostic Centre, which is a group company of Yashoda Hospitals.

Scheduled international flights are suspended in India since March 23 because of the coronavirus-triggered lockdown.

However, special international passenger flights are operating in India under Vande Bharat Mission since May and under bilateral air bubble arrangements formed between India and other countries since July.

Also Read: Delhi Airport Start COVID-19 Testing Facility For All Arriving International Passengers