Chandigarh June 19: Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Lal said that State Government has decided to cap the rates for COVID-19 Rt-PCR test at Rs. 2,400. New revised rates will come into force with immediate effect.

Sharing more details, an official spokesman said that the State Government has issued directions that no private laboratory should charge any amount more than Rs. 2400 for Rt-PCR test for COVID-19, inclusive of GST/Taxes, if any, cost involved in pick up, packing and transportation of samples, documentation and reporting in Haryana. While, till now, adhering to the ICMR guidelines, the COVID-19 Rt-PCR testing was made available through private laboratories and upper limit of single test charges was capped at Rs. 4500.

Further, the laboratories have also been directed to display rates in a visible manner.

He said that the Private Laboratories should share data pertaining to the results of these tests for COVID- l9 with the State Government and ICMR on a real time basis through ICMR portal and https://covidsample.haryana.gov.in

He said that at the time of sampling, the identification, address and verified mobile number of the person, who is being tested, must be noted for record, as per sample referral form (SRF). The data should be uploaded on the Rt-PCR app at the time of taking the sample. The test report should be communicated to the patient immediately after the testing is complete.

He said that a positive test report should be immediately communicated to the Civil Surgeon of the concerned district through e-mail.

He said that all the Deputy Commissioners and Civil Surgeons in the state shall monitor the above laboratories closely, enforce the rates strictly by giving wide publicity on the issue of COVID- l9 tests by the Private NABL and ICMR approved labs in the state.

The spokesman further informed that the State Government has been taking various measures to combat COVID-19 Pandemic. The State Government is providing free testing and treatment in Govt. Hospitals across the State.