Traveling from UAE to India? Be prepared to spend more! As per the latest covid protocols, all passengers, including children and infants, have to undergo a COVID-19 test on arrival at Indian airports. The Indian government announced ed that all international passengers irrespective of their age and gender have to upload negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test report on Air Suvidha portal prior to flying to India. The government clarified that even children below 10 have to test negative for travelling to India.
The Test Is Mandatory For All Passengers Arriving From Middle East
The “self-paid confirmatory molecular test” is mandatory for all passengers arriving from the Middle East, so ensure you carry adequate money. After a pre-departure Covid test taken 72 hours before the flight, passengers will be screened once again upon landing in Indian airports. Different airports in India are charging different rates for the on-arrival RT-PCR COVID-19 confirmatory test, depending on the charges fixed by the respective state governments. Emirates Airline has listed the cost of the test at different Indian destinations it is currently serving.
Cost Of Covid-19 Test In India Airports
Ahmedabad: Rs 800 per person
Bangalore: RT PCR Express Rs 3,000 (30 minutes processing time), RT PCR (normal) Rs 500 (For hours processing time)
Chennai: Rs 1,200 to 2,500 per person
Delhi: On arrival molecular test will cost approximately Rs 800 per person. Passengers who have to wait for their results before their connecting flights must pay for the lounge cost at approximately Rs 2,600 per person.
Hyderabad: Rs1,000 per person
Kerala: On arrival molecular test will cost approximately Rs1,500 to 2,000 per person
Kolkata: Rs 950 per person
Mumbai: Rs 850 per person
Expats Seek Exemption From On-Arrival Covid-19 Test Fee
Meanwhile, expats have demanded exemption from the fee, asking the Indian government to bear it. Passengers pointed out that they had already paid for the pre-departure RT-PCR test, valid for 72 hours, and said they were not ready to make an extra payment for the test on arrival.