Good opportunity opens for Thyrocare, Dr Lal Path Labs, Metropolis as Maha Govt mandates Covid-19 test for flights, trains

Maharashtra Government’s new guideline for people travelling to the state now mandatorily requires the Covid-19 RT-PCR test. The changes in the guidelines come in the wake of growing coronavirus cases across the country. The tests will be required whether the people are travelling via flights or trains. 

What opportunities does this create for diagnostic companies like Thyrocare, Dr Lal Path Labs, Metropolis and others? Zee Business’ Devanshi Ashar has a detailed report. 

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The new guidelines are in place amid the rising wave of coronavirus infections in the state, Asher said. The Guidelines have been issued by the Maharashtra Government. 

Apart from Maharashtra, there are four other states that are seeing a daily spike in coronavirus infection viz Delhi, Gujarat, Goa and Rajasthan. The new cases have been rising at a fast pace, she said. 

For all the passengers flying or travelling in trains from the above four states will be required to undergo Covid-19 or RT-PCR test. 

This is a big opportunity for the diagnostic companies. There are two types of test – one is the antigen test and the other is the RT-PCR test. The latter is the expensive one. These tests can be done at a cost ranging between Rs 1000 and Rs 2,500. Many states have put a cap of Rs 2000. This test will be mandatory to travel to Maharashtra. 

The test will be required 72 hours prior to the travel date. 

This augurs well for the diagnostic companies as their volumes are likely to rise. The margins for home-tests will be slightly more, she further said. All the three companies are likely to gain from this move. 

Airlines to start testing facility: 

SpiceJet has already started this facility so this news could be beneficial for the low cost career. 

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How airlines will be impacted: 

People who would want to fly for short duration and nearby destinations may chose not to book flights. This could hit the airline companies as the passengers will be required to take regular tests.