MUMBAI: Over 2.2 lakh passengers underwent RT-PCR tests at Mumbai airport in six months, out of which 1,480 tested positive, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) said on Friday.
In February, around 81,000 passengers registered for the test, compared to 1,700 in September last year, when the facility was launched at the airport.
Demand for the tests went up with recent central and state government restrictions. All international passengers arriving in or transiting through Mumbai have to undergo the test. Passengers from Brazil, South Africa and UK must wait at the airport for their test results before they can board their onward domestic flight to their final destination. Passengers from Europe and Middle East can proceed with their journey after submission of their sample, said MIAL.
Domestic passengers from Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala and Rajasthan who land in Mumbai without the test have to undergo it at the airport.
Under government guidelines, passengers arriving or transiting from flights originating from UK, Europe, Middle East, Brazil and South Africa with a final destination in Maharashtra will have to observe a compulsory institutional quarantine of seven days at a state-designated facility even if they land with a negative RT-PCR report in tow.
All other international passengers arriving here have to furnish a negative RTPCR report. “Alternatively, they can opt for a molecular test on arrival, wherein after submitting the test sample they can proceed with their journey and receive their reports in eight hours,’’ MIAL said.
When introduced at Mumbai airport, RT-PCR testing facility was only for passengers arriving. A month later it was extended to passengers departing and also those without an air ticket, like those who go to the airport to drop/receive passengers.