Departing passengers can now get RT-PCR tests done at a testing booth at the airport, a few hours prior to their journey, said officials of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). Even though the facility is primarily for international passengers who do not have their test results for some reason, domestic passengers can also avail the facility. The sample collection booth was set up by DIAL in association with Genestrings Diagnostics Pvt Ltd, in front of Gate number 8 of Terminal 3 on October 28. Passengers travelling to both international and domestic destinations can avail the facility. A DIAL official said, “The passengers will have to plan their travel in such a way that they arrive around 8-9 hours prior to their journey. The test result will take around 4-6 hours but they also have to account for the time taken at customs, security, etc.” Passengers will have to pay Rs 2,400 in order to get tested. Officials explained that the facility has been set up outside the airport so that passengers can easily be escorted in case their results turn out positive. Each counter can conduct 30-40 registrations while the collection facility can collect approximately 120-130 samples in an hour. As of now, there is one counter and another will be set up immediately in case the demand rises. The DIAL official said, “As the number of air bubbles rises, following the government mandate, the testing capacity will also increase.” Passengers will be required to sign a disclaimer stating that they will follow government-mandated quarantine rules in case they test positive for Covid. In September, a testing lab, the first of its kind in the country, was set up for arriving international passengers. Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO-DIAL, said: “We have launched the RT-PCR testing facility for outbound domestic/international travellers at Delhi Airport. The unique facility will help those passengers who have to travel and need a COVID negative certificate with them due to some reasons. The COVID-19 testing laboratory at Delhi Airport is adequately equipped for testing and sample collection that will be conducted in compliance with the protocols established by ICMR and NABL. Delhi Airport is working continuously to ensure safe travel for passengers.”
