UP govt slashes Covid testing rates

Lucknow, Dec 2 : The Yogi Adityanath government has brought down the rate of Covid-19 RT-PCR tests.
The rate for the test in the private labs has been reduced from Rs 1,600 to Rs 700, which is among the lowest in the country. The labs have been allowed to charge Rs 900 per RT-PCR test if they collect the sample from the patient’s home. The rates are inclusive of GST.
According to an order issued by Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Amit Mohan Prasad, any lab charging more than the prescribed rate would face penal action under the Epidemic act.
The Delhi government had earlier brought down the rate of Covid-19 testing through RT-PCR from Rs 2,400 to Rs 800.
The Uttarakhand government, too, had reduced the rate from Rs 1,600 to Rs 850 and Rs 900 (for home collection).
“The rates have been revised in public interest in the wake of the increased demand,” said Prasad.