Free on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test for passengers from UAE to Kerala

Free on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test for passengers from UAE to Kerala

Dubai: The government of the south Indian state of Kerala has made the on-arrival COVID-19 RT-PCR test free for those coming from abroad, including passengers from the UAE. Kerala Health minister K. K. Shailaja made the announcementand in Kerala and said all international passengers will continue to be tested on arrival as per the latest travel protocol announced by India's federal government. The new requirement of mandatory COVID-19 RT-PCR test came into effect on February 23, following which, several expats in the UAE had sought exemption from the test fee, which is charged at different rates at different airports in India. In Kerala, the cost of the test was capped at Rs1, 700 (Dh84. 74). As reported by Gulf News, Indian expats' demand for exemptions in COVID-19 tests for travelling to India from UAE had gathered steam with social workers and community groups joining the campaign. Social workers had begun campaigning for government funding for the test while some expats had delayed travel expecting change in rule for kids. Though the test has been made free of cost, the minister has clarified that all international passengers will still have to be tested due to the high number of cases and