Thiruvananthapuram: The RT-PCR test to confirm COVID-19 has commenced at Kerala airports for travellers arriving from overseas countries.
Flyers arriving from South Africa, Brazil, UK, Europe, and the Gulf need to mandatorily undergo RT-PCR tests at the airports as per the central government's directives.
Instructions have been given to provide the results in 24 hours. The tests are being carried out by private agencies.
The rate of RT-PCR test is Rs 1,700.
16, 20 counters at TVPM, Kochi airports
There are 16 counters for testing at the Thiruvananthapuram airport. Around 300 passengers who arrived in two planes were tested on Tuesday. On an average, over 1,000 international passengers arrive at the airport daily.
Twenty counters have been set up at the Kochi airport, but this is not enough if two flights arrive at the same time as long queues are observed.
Nine counters have been set up at the Kannur airport. But there is not much crowding here due to fewer international flights.
At the Kozhikode airport, five counters are being operated to take the samples, five counters for collecting details and five counters for remitting the money. The rate levied is Rs 1,350.
However, several passengers protested at the airports, while pointing out that it was unnecessary to check again people who had undergone the test the previous day and had boarded the flight with COVID-negative certificates.
