Delay at new PCR lab at BIA leads to chaos

COLOMBO (News 1st); A delay in releasing PCR test results to those arriving at the Bandaranaike International Airport led to chaos over the weekend.

According to reports, many were forced to leave without the test result, which could place a COVID-positive individual within society.

The Hospinorm Laboratory Lounge at the Bandaranaike International Airport to facilitate PCR testing for arrivals from overseas was said to be operational from Saturday (25).

The Hospinorm Laboratory Lounge was symbolically declared open at the BIA on 23rd September 2021.

The Laboratory is expected to carry out 500 PCR tests per hour and 7000 PCR tests per day and $ 40 US will be charged from a traveler for a PCR test.

Sri Lankan travelers returning from overseas said that they were told to go home and their test results would be informed over the phone.

Some travelers allege that the time delay is serious as it only took them a minute to get their test before returning to Sri Lanka.