RT-PCR labs at HSIA start screening UAE-bound passengers

Six newly-installed RT-PCR laboratories at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have started screening passengers bound for United Arab Emirates, from Wednesday afternoon.

The screening process started soon after the UAE government granted approval for the RT-PCR labs and urged the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) to resume regular flights between the two countries.

The Ministry of Health has fixed Tk 1,600 per person as fee for the RT-PCR test at the airport.

Till filling this report, an Emirates flight was scheduled to depart HISA for the gulf nation on Wednesday night.

Earlier in the day, UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority, in a letter sent to the CAAB chairman, set a condition that Covid tests have to be carried out within the airport premises and a maximum of six hours from the time of departure.

During a press briefing at HISA following the approval, CAAB Chairman Air Vice-Marshal M Mafidur Rahman said that commercial airlines have been permitted to operate passenger flights to and from the UAE.

He also said that UAE-bound passengers need to arrive at HISA at least six hours before their scheduled flight departure and can only depart the airport after securing a Covid-19 negative report from the RT-PCR labs.

“Representatives from the six RT-PCR laboratories have assured us that they are ready to provide this support and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will be monitoring the screening process,” he added.

On Sunday, the six labs collected samples from 96 CAAB and government officials at the airport to conduct final trials before starting operations.

The health directorate then compared the test results with those from its own lab and found that the results were correct.