UP: Now, get Covid test without prescription

LUCKNOW: People in need for Covid-19 test can now walk into private labs across Uttar Pradesh and get themselves screened. They will no longer need any prescription but will have to specify the reason for the test.
Two days after the Indian Council of Medical Research – the apex medical research body in the country – allowed testing on demand, UP has adopted the guidelines. It will also allow collection of Covid samples from home by private labs.
ICMR officials stated that the move aims at simplifying modalities such as doing away with need for prescription and setting out the method of testing especially for domestic and international travelers who need a Covid-19 negative report for easier screening at the airports.
“Tests on demand should be allowed for all individuals who wish to get themselves tested and all individuals undertaking travel to other countries or states, mandating a negative Covid-19 test at point of entry,” the advisory said.A committee of health officials in UP also believed that ‘there was no problem in adopting the recommendation’ though no formal government order has been issued in this regard.
“The ICMR guideline is sufficient in its own way. Government orders are issued only to facilitate implementation of different guidelines. But in this case, everything is clear,” said a senior officer. The move will also allow home collection of Covid-19 samples which is a major relief for patients suffering with other diseases who need ‘Covid-19 negative report’ to continue their regular treatment.
“Prescription was made mandatory for Covid-19 testing by the local administration which was hampering self-reporting of suspected cases that do not fit in the classical definition of the primary or secondary contact. In addition, a number of pregnant women, unwell elderly and those who need to join jobs were facing difficulty on account of the verbal order,” said a staffer at a private lab.The order came as a major relief for private pathology centres engaged in Covid-19 testing in Lucknow which has become the hotspotof coronavirus epidemic. “Since cases in Lucknow started increasing, a new diktat was issued by the local administration which led to a lot of confusion. Thankfully, the ICMR guideline has cleared all the mist. The committee appointed by CM to review Covid-19 situation in Lucknow also overruled all previous orders and upheld the guidelines issued on September 5,” sources in the health department said.