CHATTOGRAM: The RTPCR laboratory for coronavirus test has been set up at the Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport and the virus test has started formally for expatriates at the airport from today (Monday).
Sources said the authority concerned had set up the RTPCR laboratory at the airport last month. The corona test at the newly set up RTPCR laboratory at the airport started experimentally on December 29 last. However, the authority has started the corona test at the laboratory at the airport from Monday.
Meanwhile, the flights from Arab Emirate will start in the current week as the corona test started at RTPCR laboratory at the airport.
Divisional Director of Health Department Dr Shariar Kabir said, "Expatriates can get the report from the airport within 3 to 6 hours. So, expatiates have to go to the airport before six hours of their flight to complete the test and get the report."
"Expatiates who are registered with the ministry concerned will not have to pay any fees for corona test at the airport while visitors and other passengers have to pay taka 1600 taka for the test at the airport," he added.
It may be mentioned that the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) called upon the health ministry and civil aviation and tourism ministry to set up the PCR machine at Chittagong Shah Amanat International Air Port on October 31 last year. The authority set up the machine in December last year. The CCCI president expressed gratitude to the minister concerned and said, "Expatriates were suffering a lot due to lack of PCR machine at Chittagong Shah Amanat International AirPort. The PCR machine will help the 250,000 expatriates of Chattogram."
