BIA’s advanced PCR testing lab is no longer operational: AASL

The advanced PCR testing laboratory facilities established at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) premises to perform PCR tests are dysfunctional and unable to perform tests on tourists arriving in the country, Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) Vice Chairman Rajiv Sooriyaarachchi said.

He said the tourists arriving at the airport have to undergo the previous PCR testing procedures at the airport and will be directed to hotels.

Each tourist will be charged US $40 to direct them to the PCR tests at the airport, Sooriyaarachchi said.

He also said that facilities have been provided to direct tourists to quarantine procedures at hotels upon their request.

A PCR testing laboratory was established at a cost of Rs. 70 million at the airport premises to perform 500 PCR tests per day and issue reports in three hours for all arrivees.

It was reported that the AASL funded Rs.16.5 million for this (PCR) laboratory.

The laboratory was equipped with a collection of laboratory equipment by several hospitals in the country. Among the installed equipment are two PCR machines, two nucleic acid separators and three safety cabinets.

Source – Daily Mirror