Delhi government slashes the rates of RT-PCR to Rs 300; home collection to cost Rs 500

New Delhi, January 21: The Delhi government on Thursday revised the maximum cost of RT-PCR tests at private laboratories from Rs 500 to Rs 300 and reduced the cap of Rs 700 for home collection and tests to Rs 500.
The maximum rate for rapid antigen tests (RAT) at private laboratories has been fixed at Rs 100 instead of Rs 300. Tests conducted at government establishments remain free.

Moreover, as per the order, the cost of conventional RT-PCR tests for which samples are collected by government teams and then collected by private sector labs as requisitions by districts or hospitals will be Rs 200.

As per reports, it’s been said by the government sources that the decision has been taken to help Delhiites and also increase the number of tests. A further reduction is possible soon, a source added. The order comes into effect immediately and all charges are inclusive of all taxes.

The health department has directed all private hospitals and laboratories to display the revised rates at a prominent place within 24 hours. It has also asked private facilities to process samples within 12 hours of being received in labs. The department said for positive samples, results should be updated on the ICMR portal within 30 minutes of the samples being processed.

The Delhi government last time reduced the rates for Conventional RT-PCR in August 2021 when it slashed the cost to Rs 500 from Rs 800.