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Health Ministry urges on-arrival Covid tests

14 Sep 2021

BY Dinitha Rathnayake Rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests should be implemented for travellers who arrive in Sri Lanka, according to Health Ministry Communications Director, Public Health Services Deputy Director General, and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath. Speaking at a press conference, he said that after a discussion with the Laboratory Services Deputy Director General, he was able to come to a conclusion in this regard. However, currently, rapid PCR tests are provided only for those who leave the country. Travellers who arrive in Sri Lanka have to go through a PCR test in a hotel and they have to wait for 24 hours to get the results, according to the current regulations. Dr. Herath said that the rapid PCR tests are not so common in Sri Lanka and that the availability of equipment is also less. “If there is a request from the passengers who arrive in Sri Lanka to implement a rapid PCR test, health officials are open to consider it,“ he added. Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake has set up a rapid PCR testing facility by the privately owned Asiri Hospitals, for travellers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the moment. In view of facilitating the passengers travelling to the UAE, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt.) Ltd. has established a rapid PCR testing service facility at the BIA premises to conduct rapid PCR tests for Covid-19. The laboratory is operated by Asiri Laboratories and the service has been available since 14 August 2021 to facilitate the passengers who are mandatorily required to have a negative rapid PCR report obtained within six hours prior to the scheduled departure to enter their destinations. The passengers who are mandatorily required to obtain a rapid PCR test report should bring their passport, national identity card (NIC), and air ticket. The cost for the rapid PCR test will be Rs. 7,500 per person  and the payment can be made at the airport sample collection site by cash, credit cards, or through a bank transfer prior to obtaining the services. Earlier this month, UAE authorities mandated a four-hour pre-departure rapid PCR test and a 48-hour standard PCR test report to enter the country. This created a setback to passengers as at the time Sri Lanka did not have the facility to conduct the tests.  


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