Lab set up at Shri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in Amritsar to test UAE-bound passengers

Charanjit Singh Teja

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Tribune News Service2

Amritsar, August 19

The authorities at Shri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in compliance with the UAE government guidelines have set up a lab at the airport to conduct the Covid-19 PCR rapid test of passengers travelling to Dubai.

The official twitter handle of SGGRDJI Airport confirmed the development.

Passengers for Dubai can avail the facility of Covid-19 PCR rapid test at the airport from Thursday onwards.

The cost of the test for those going to UAE has been fixed at Rs3,300. The new directives of the UAE government stipulate that passengers must undergo the Covid-19 PCR rapid test four hours before their departure. The passenger would be able to board the flight only after the report of this test. Following this, the authorities of SGRDI Airport provided the facility inside the airport premises.

Sameep Singh Gumtala, convener, Fly Amritsar Initiative, said it is a good move.

“Moreover, the cost of the test is Rs3,300, which is less than the Delhi airport. Following the availability of this test at the airport, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India have resumed direct flights from Amritsar to Dubai and Sharjah. A large number of people had been demanding to start the testing facility at the airport so that they could take a direct flight from Amritsar to Dubai. This initiative of authorities will facilitate thousands of passengers.”

While advising passengers, Sameep Singh said although the ban on entry into the UAE from India has not been completely lifted, all travellers are advised to know beforehand whether they have qualified to enter the country or not.

Shri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport Director VK Seth said: “The lab has been set to conduct the Covid-19 PCR rapid test as per the requirement of the airlines flying to the UAE. We have asked passengers to reach six hours before the lab test as UAE requires fresh report of Covid-19 PCR rapid test.”