PCR lab at BIA yet to commence operations - Dr. Hemantha

by Zulfick Farzan 27-09-2021 | 4:19 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said the new PCR laboratory at the Bandaranaike International Airport is yet to commence officially commence operations.

He said passengers arriving in Sri Lanka continue to undergo the existing PCR test & quarantine process.

Dr. Hemantha Herath said if operations are to commence at this PCR laboratory, authorities need to be satisfied with its capacity and it should be able to operate continuously subject to several test runs.

Earlier on Monday (27) Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited said that the operations of the PCR laboratory at the Bandaranaike International Airport was suspended.

Rajiv Sooriyaarachchi, Vice Chairman of AASL told News 1st that the suspension of operations was imposed due to a technical issue.

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

The Laboratory was expected to carry out 500 PCR tests per hours and 7000 PCR tests per day and $ 40 US was charged from a traveler for a PCR test.