Maharashtra Covid 19 cases: Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport cuts RT-PCR test rate--This is how much you will have to pay now

Amid sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has reduced the price of RT-PCR test by 30 per cent to Rs 600. The revised charges, which are in line with the latest directives from the Maharashtra government, are effective from April 1, CSMIA said in a statement on Friday.

Mumbai airport is offering the regular RT-PCR test at a reduced cost of Rs 600 as against Rs 850 earlier from April 1 to the passengers opting to avail the facility at the airport, it said.

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"The state government had on Wednesday announced a reduction in RT-PCR, rapid antigen and antibody test charges. Following this, the RT-PCR test at a laboratory or hospital now costs Rs 600 from Rs 850 earlier, and Rs 150 for a rapid antigen test," said news agency PTI. 

CSMIA had introduced the RT-PCR test counters at the terminal last September and since then it has carried out over three lakh tests to date, it noted.

Since the launch, the airport has added new facilities and explored various avenues to accommodate and reduce dwell time for passengers awaiting the reports, CSMIA said, adding it was the first Indian airport to launch a unique molecular testing technique.

Currently, the airport hosts three facilities at Terminal 2. It has established over 30 counters of testing facilities at the terminal for international and domestic passengers, including those equipped with molecular testing facilities. 

Recently, Maharashtra chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday (April 2) has expressed serious concern about rising cases. He warned that if the number of COVID-19 cases kept increasing the way they have in the last few days and weeks, the state might run out of facilities to deal with the virus.

With PTI Input