1,132 labs for stranded UAE residents
ICMR reveals full list of Indian facilities to be recognised by UAE authorities
The UAE will accept Covid-19 negative certificates issued by laboratories doing RT/PCR tests authorised by the Indian government for allowing entry to expats returning from India, a top diplomat confirmed to
Gulf News yesterday.
These results should be obtained not more than 96 hours before departure, said UAE Ambassador to India Dr Ahmad Abdul Rahman Al Banna.
“The UAE authorities have said they [UAE residents wishing to return from India] should have ICA or GDRFA approval and should carry the RT/PCR lab test result showing they tested negative for coronavirus. The labs approved by the Indian authorities will suffice for the test,” the envoy said, ending confusion among thousands of expats about the labs from which they should get the certificate.
Just in time for the expats preparing to return on special flights from July 12, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed the full list of laboratories in India doing the tests. According to ICMR there are currently 1,132 labs in India testing for Covid-19. Of these 603 laboratories are doing RT/PCR and as many as 373 of these are government hospitals and the rest are private facilities.
What expats have to say
Stranded Indian expats have welcomed the announcement as they hope the time is near for them to get back to the UAE.
Aditya Bhatt, who is working for a finance company in Dubai, has been stranded with his wife and daughter since March 12. “I went on a 10-day annual leave. Who would have known I would end up stranded in India for months. I am desperate to return home.”
“I was in a fix as to where I could head out to get myself tested for Covid-19. It is good to see more testing centres added in India,” he said.
Another Indian expat Reena Rinold, who is stuck in New Delhi with her three-year old daughter, is fearful about heading out to a Covid-testing centre with her child. “With the current situation in India, we are afraid to visit any hospital or clinic. Not just that the hospital demands a prescription or for symptoms without which it is not possible to get a test done in India.”