Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Aug 5: UAE authorities have recently lifted the travel ban on six countries including India and allowed passengers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda from August 5 with some strict conditions. But UAE residents who are stuck in and around Mangaluru still need to wait to travel as rapid Covid testing facilities are still not available at Mangaluru airport.
Undergoing a rapid Covid test before boarding a plane is one of the requirements for the stranded UAE residents to return from the six countries.
Passengers at Mangaluru airport (file photo)
Residents, who have received both doses of Covid-19 vaccine in the UAE and vaccinated and unvaccinated health workers, teachers, humanitarian cases and those employed in federal and local government agencies can fly to the UAE.
In addition to a PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure, these residents also need to undergo a rapid test before boarding their flights, according to a circular issued by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to the airline operators.
According to reliable sources from Mangaluru airport, a single rapid Covid test unit can be used to test maximum four samples per hour. To complete the process for the entire flight, they will need at least 20 to 30 units and 3-4 hours before the departure. Each unit reportedly costs in lacs. Hence, are Mangaluru airport authorities really interested in buying the equipment for this short-term requirement? If they initiate facilitating the units, it may take at least a week or two to set-up the facility at the airport.
At the same time, all airports in Kerala, Bengaluru and Mumbai have already placed this facility. Mangaluru passengers, who are in a hurry to land in the UAE, might have to board flights from Kerala, Bengaluru and Mumbai airports.
Daijiworld has reliably learnt that Air India Express and SpiceJet are keen to fly to the UAE airports, but without the facilities, they cannot announce the booking dates.
In addition to the ticket prices, each test could cost between Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 per sample, according to the sources available to Daijiworld.