UK: Cheaper Covid test costs for Global travellers, includes India
UK reduces the cost of Covid-19 test from 88 pounds to 68 pounds. Read on to know more about the vaccination cost.
On Saturday, the UK has announced to reduce the cost of Covid-19 test cost for the global travellers which includes India. The decision has been taken for the countries which were earlier placed under the red list and recently placed under Amber list by the UK government. After several requests over the high charges of the mandatory testing the cost of the Covid-19 test has been reduced from 88 pounds to 68 pounds (USD 122 to USD 94).
According to the decision, the fully vaccinated passengers returning from Green list countries or Amber list destinations like India, will now pay 20 pounds (USD 27) less per Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. In a fresh guideline the UK stated that the Covid-19 test must be taken on or before day two after the passenger arrives in England.
Clearly mentioning, the UK stated, "the people who have not had both doses of the coronavirus vaccine and are returning from Amber list countries like India will also see the price of the two tests they need fall from 170 pounds to 136 pounds (USD 235 to USD 188). The tests must be taken on days two and eight of their arrival from abroad."
As per a report by news agency PTI, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said, the price reduction does not affect arrivals from Red list countries, or if they purchase a test from a private provider.
"The National Health Service (NHS) Test and Trace provide COVID-19 tests for international travel, but unlike normal lateral flow tests (LFT) or PCR ones for people with symptoms, they are paid for", reported by News18.
UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced, "I’ve ordered my department to urgently review the list of private providers on gov.uk to ensure pricing is clearer and transparent." "Any provider found to be misleading the public will be kicked off. Too many providers are acting like cowboys and that needs to stop. The public should be allowed to enjoy their summer holidays without having to face excessive costs or anxiety", he added.
