If you've been following the news, you would know that many states in India have introduced new rules for arriving passengers including carrying a negative RT-PCR test. Most have made it mandatory for incoming passengers to carry the test report which has to be issued from an ICMR-approved lab, and taken within 48 to 72 hours prior to commencement of journey. Several states in fact have stated that there will be no institutional quarantine for passengers carrying negative RT-PCR test reports. Recently, RT-PCR tests with QR codes were made obligatory for those flying out of India because of the high incidence of fake test reports.
Getting a test in the middle of a second wave has been a tough task for some passengers. So it comes as a bit of a relief that a few airlines are now offering test facilities.
SpiceJet
No-frills budget carrier SpiceJet, India&rsquos second-largest air carrier, is now offering COVID-19 testing facilities to their flyers for Rs299 while passengers of other airlines can get the test results at Rs499.
Their SpiceHealth unit selling the tests has also set up multiple mobile-testing facilities across numerous cities in India, where people can come in, or have a sample collected from their home. Prices start from Rs450.
To register for SpiceJet&rsquos RT-PCR test you will need to book an appointment on SpiceHealth and fill-up the form wherein flyers will have to input their SpiceJet PNR to get a discount. Or you can also visit any of the nearest SpiceHealth test centers. Passengers must note that a PNR numbers can only be used once and can get their test conducted before or up to 30 days after the travel date.
GoFirst
Similarly, GoFirst has undertaken the &lsquoPre-flight COVID-19 Passenger Test&rsquo initiative in partnership with Stemz Healthcare making it a very convenient way to not only book your COVID-19 RT-PCR test across India but overseas as well.
You can book by either a walk-on to a lab near you or request for a home visit based on your convenience and time. Stemz Healthcare will revert back with certified rest results from their IMCR-approved labs and collection centers.
Currently, these centers are available in 18 cities across 23 states with prices between Rs699 and Rs2,000. The unique partnership with the multi-country laboratory Stemz Healthcare also allows you to book online to meet your travel requirements of various countries.
Stemz Healthcare is among the largest aggregator of government-approved labs for COVID-19 RT-PCR tests.
IndiGo
IndiGo is also facilitating the above-mentioned provisions of RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 for passengers through Stemz Healthcare Private Limited where you may avail all the services listed above for the same price through their platform.
Air Asia
Air Asia has launched a op spot, drive-thru and home service swab testing initiative in partnership with Siloam Hospitals in Indonesia. Air Asia passengers can get their tests for Rs700.