Rate for Covid-19 test at private labs capped at ₹2,000 in Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH: The UT administration on Monday put of cap of ₹2,000 on Covid-19 tests at private labs in the city. Currently, the only private lab in the city that has authorisation for conducting the test, SRL Laboratory, charges ₹4,500 per patient.

The UT officials, led by adviser to administrator Manoj Kumar Parida, met the representatives of SRL Laboratory on Monday, as per the directions of the Indian Council of Medical Research.

“After taking into account the cost of kits and consumables and on the basis of procedure in other states, UT administration, in exercise of the powers bestowed under the Epidemic Diseases Act, directed that no private laboratory should charge more than ₹2,000 for Covid-19 test, inclusive of GST/ taxes, if any,” said a UT official privy to the development.

WHAT ALL YOU NEED TO GET TESTED

For conducting the test, the lab requires three documents from a person requesting the test — prescription for Covid-19 test from a qualified physician, government photo-id and duly filled specimen referral form.

The prescribed cost would include the cost involved in pick up, packing and transportation of samples, documentation and reporting in Chandigarh, said the official.