Indian expats’ plea for COVID-19 test exemption on arrival back home gathers steam

Indian expats’ plea for COVID-19 test exemption on arrival back home gathers steam

Dubai: UAE-based Indian expats' plea for exemptions in RT-PCR tests required for travelling to India is gathering steam with social workers and community groups echoing the call As reported by Gulf News, Indian expats here have raised concerns over making RT-PCR tests mandatory for all passengers, including infants and sought government funding for on-arrival confirmatory molecular tests. The plea seeking government funding for RT-PCR test on arrival in India and exemption for children below 12 years from getting tested twice is gaining momentum after prominent social workers and community groups joining the bandwagon. Since February 23, India has made pre-departure RT-PCR negative test report taken within 72 hours prior to the flight mandatory for boarding flights to India. All passengers from here should also undergo "self-paid confirmatory molecular test" on arrival in India. Indian airports are charging different rates for the on-arrival test as per the cost capped by the respective state governments. Expats have taken exception to paying for a second test and concerns were also raised about not exempting young children from COVID-19 tests from the UAE and India. Several expats are also seeking an exemption from both the tests for children below 12 years. Ashraf Thamarassery, a