After Delhi, Mumbai Airport Introduces COVID-19 Testing Facilities For

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After Delhi, Mumbai Airport Introduces COVID-19 Testing Facilities For International & Domestic Passengers

International passengers travelling via Mumbai Airport, but not in possession of a COVID-19 negative test report, can now take an RT-PCR test at the airport, as per the new guidelines stated by the Maharashtra state government. By Kumar Shree

All international travellers who are passing through Mumbai airport, and have not been tested COVID-19 negative in the last 96 hours will need to take a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test upon arrival at the airport.

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As reported by The Indian Express, the guideline issued by the state government reads, “Passengers can get tested and will be allowed to take connecting flights on having a negative test report.”

The guideline also advises travellers to book a connecting flight, which is at least eight to 12 hours apart from the time of their arrival at the airport, as the RT-PCR test takes about seven to eight hours to give the report. The passengers can choose to wait in the waiting lounge, or book a room at the airport hotel. The latter option will be available only after getting permission from the state authorities.

The passengers will receive both soft and hard copy of their test result after eight hours. Those who test positive for Coronavirus might not be allowed to travel further and can be sent into institutional quarantine. While those who test negative will be stamped on their hand and will have to self-quarantine until the given date.

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This facility is available near the exit gates of Terminal 2. Passengers can either book the test online via ICMR-approved Suburban Diagnostics laboratory website or register at the helpdesk. The updated test fee is INR 1,600, and the testing facility will be available 24×7.

The testing facility is also available for arriving passengers on domestic flights. It will soon be extended to departing passengers at both, international and domestic terminals.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport started this facility from September, 06, and is now the second airport in the country after Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, to have such testing facilities at its premises.