UAE: With new rules, Covid test costs increase for India flyers

UAE: With new rules, Covid test costs increase for India flyers

As new India travel regulations kicked in on Tuesday, the costs for Covid testing have substantially increased for travellers from the UAE. Many passengers now have to pay for two sets of tests. Airport authorities and travel agents advise passengers to bring enough money to pay for the molecular or PCR tests, depending on the airport.

Passengers are advised to carry at least Rs2,000 (Dh100) per passenger, depending on their destination as airports in India are charging different prices. All international passengers whose flights originate from the UAE must undergo self-paid molecular tests at the airport, as per the new Covid-19 travel protocol.

The new travel rules are applicable to all the passengers, including children of all ages. Tests upon arrival are carried out in addition to the negative RT-PCR test report that that had to be posted on the Air Suvidha portal prior to departure.

“It was very chaotic at Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram airports today (Tuesday). Since these regulations and costs were not clearly spelt out, it got very hectic at these airports,” Afi Ahmed, managing director of Smart Travels, told Khaleej Times.

Currently, testing is being conducted in at least