This story is from August 6, 2020

Gujarat: SMC starts antigen testing of passengers arriving at Surat airport

The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) of Gujarat has started the rapid antigen testing facility for the passengers arriving at the Surat airport in the domestic flights starting from Thursday.
Gujarat: SMC starts antigen testing of passengers arriving at Surat airport
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SURAT: The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) of Gujarat has started the rapid antigen testing facility for the passengers arriving at the Surat airport in the domestic flights starting from Thursday.
Official sources said that the SMC has tied up with a private hospital for the rapid antigen testing of the domestic passengers arriving at the Surat airport.
The passengers with suspected symptoms of Covid-19 found during the health screening by the SMC staff will be provided with the antigen testing facility on chargeable basis.
Following the restricted flight movements at the airport due to coronavirus pandemic, only three flights are operated from the Surat airport between Delhi and Hyderabad. On an average, about 200 passengers are arriving at the Surat airport from Delhi and Hyderabad on daily basis.
Official sources said that until now the thermal screening of the passengers at the airport was carried out by the health teams of the SMC. However, the passengers found suspected in the screening will have to undergo antigen testing at the airport itself. The test result of the passenger will be handed over in less than half an hour.
Deputy municipal commissioner (health and hospital), Dr Ashish Naik said, “SMC has tied up with the private hospital for carrying out antigen testing of the passengers at Surat airport. The passengers will have to bear the cost of antigen testing. If found negative, the passengers will be advised 14 days home quarantine and those testing positives will be shifted to the hospital or advise home isolation”
Asked about the antibody testing, Dr Naik said, “Antibody testing of the passengers at airport is not required. We will only advice the passengers to go for antigen testing if they are found with suspected symptoms of Covid-19 during the health screening upon their arrival on the airport.”
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