NEW DELHI: For the first time, the Union Ministry of Health has allowed testing for Covid-19 on demand without a prescription. The new notice has been made on the recommendations of the National Task Force on the new coronavirus.
“For the first time, along with more simplified modalities, the updated guidelines provide ‘on-demand’ testing to ensure higher levels of testing,” read a statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Individuals who wish to be tested and those traveling to countries or states in India that require a negative test for Covid-19 at the point of entry can obtain a test “on demand.”
The ministry said the new notice has further simplified the testing process and given more freedom and flexibility to state authorities to facilitate easier testing for individuals.
“An entirely new section has been added to the notice on ‘tests on demand’ that, for all practical purposes, eliminates the prescription by a registered physician, although state governments are free to decide on simplified modalities,” it said read in the statement.
There are now 1,647 operational test labs covering all states / UT, the ministry said.
In video: Covid-19: ICMR issues a notice that allows testing on demand
“For the first time, along with more simplified modalities, the updated guidelines provide ‘on-demand’ testing to ensure higher levels of testing,” read a statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Individuals who wish to be tested and those traveling to countries or states in India that require a negative test for Covid-19 at the point of entry can obtain a test “on demand.”
The ministry said the new notice has further simplified the testing process and given more freedom and flexibility to state authorities to facilitate easier testing for individuals.
“An entirely new section has been added to the notice on ‘tests on demand’ that, for all practical purposes, eliminates the prescription by a registered physician, although state governments are free to decide on simplified modalities,” it said read in the statement.
There are now 1,647 operational test labs covering all states / UT, the ministry said.
In video: Covid-19: ICMR issues a notice that allows testing on demand
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