Tighter curbs prove costly to travellers

At airports, they had to brace for massive queues, long waiting time for test results.

As stricter testing norms at airports for , passengers from “at-risk” countries had to brace for massive queues, long waiting time for test results and missed connecting flights. Their only way out though is to pay for an expensive rapid RT-PCR test that costs up to ₹4,500 — nearly nine times the regular test.

“I reached Delhi on Wednesday morning from Spain via Amsterdam. The Delhi airport was a complete mayhem. I had booked an RT-PCR test online, but I still had to stand in a long queue at the airport and then I was told that I would have to wait up to 48 hours for the test result,” a young woman passenger told The Hindu. She ultimately opted for the rapid PCR test for which results take only one hour and paid ₹3,900. Yet, it took her two hours to complete various formalities and exit the airport.