Delhi airport has set up a COVID-19 testing facility for international passengers who arrive at the city and have to take connecting domestic flights, PTI reported quoting Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL).

The facility which has been set up at the car parking area of the airport’s Terminal 3, will be operational in a few days, DIAL said.

The facility has been set up by the airport’s operator DIAL in collaboration with Genestrings Diagnostic Centre. It is presently working with the Delhi government for testing COVID-19 samples.

On Wednesday, the Civil Aviation Ministry had announced that international passengers who have to take connecting domestic flights after reaching India will have an option to get themselves tested for COVID-19 at the entry airports.

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The passengers will be allowed to board their domestic flight and will not have to undergo any institutional quarantine, if the RT-PCR test comes negative, the ministry said in its order.

The DIAL’s press release said, “Results of samples collected at the laboratory will be declared within 4-6 hours to the incoming passengers. Until the results are confirmed, passengers will be isolated at the waiting lounge or may opt to stay in a hotel.” “Constructed in 3,500 square meter area at multi-level car parking (MLCP) of Terminal 3, this is the first such arrangement among Indian airports,” it noted.

An international passenger who does not have a COVID-negative result certificate from a test done not more than 96 hours prior to the journey, and does not opt for an on-arrival testing facility at the entry airport, will have to compulsorily undergo seven-day institutional quarantine followed by seven-day home quarantine.

On August 2, the Union Health Ministry had said if an international passenger has a negative result from an RT-PCR test done 96 hours prior to the journey, he or she will not need to undergo institutional quarantine in India.