Rajkot: Frequent travellers from Saurashtra region, especially traders from Rajkot, are put in a fix as they now have to plan much ahead with Maharashtra government making RT-PCR negative test mandatory for entering the state.
This decision of Maharashtra government, taken with the view of curbing Covid-19 spread has led to a surge of inquiries with private laboratories in Rajkot for RT-PCR tests.
Private laboratory operators authorised for the Covid-19 tests said that post the Maharashtra government’s decision, the demand for RT-PCR testing has gone up by 10-15%, most of them domestic travellers.
Dr Kirit Patel, in-charge at Metropolis laboratory Rajkot said, “We are getting more inquiries for last two days and are expecting the number of tests to go up by at least 10%. We send samples to Mumbai and some of the other authorised laboratories are sending samples to Ahmedabad. So, it takes 24-36 hours to get the results. Now, with the mandatory Covid-19 test rule, a person will have to calculate travel date with a buffer of at least three days for the testing.”
Rajkot has four private authorised for Covid-19 testing and there is one laboratory of PDU Medical College. Of these, three private labs send samples outside for testing.
Dr. Darshita Shah, who is running a collection centre of Supratech laboratory said, “We are receiving calls from the people who are confused weather they need RT-PCR test and what problem they will face if they are going without a test.”
According to district health officials, before Diwali they were conducting 350-400 rapid antigen tests per day. But after state government’s insistence on RT-PCR tests, they are testing 800 people per day since last four days.
The RT-PCR test is currently compulsory for crime accused and patients who are required to undergo surgery. Persons who are going abroad too need to undergo RT-PCR test.
Dr Manish Bhanderi, Rajkot district health officer said, “We will come to know in the next couple of days the increase in RT-PCR tests done by domestic travellers. We are expecting rush to increase in government as well as private laboratory.”
In Surat too, there is a surge in inquiry for RT-PCR test. “In the last three days, inquiries about the RT-PCR tests have increased. We are receiving 40 inquiry calls per day now. Most of the inquiries are coming from those people who regularly visit Maharashtra for business purposes,” said Dr Dhanji Rajani, director of Surat-based Microcare Laboratory and Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC).