Thiruvananthapuram: The private labs are up in arms against the Kerala government decision to slash the price of RT-PCR tests to ₹500 from ₹1,700. The private laboratories demanded to increase the price and want it to be fixed at Rs 1500.

The private labs argue that Rs 500 for RTPCR test is inadequate and many labs across the state have stopped doing the tests. The lab owners informed they cannot accept the Government order. At the same time, lab consortium said that they have no plans to stop the RT-PCR tests.

If all private labs do not conduct the RT-PCR tests then the government hospitals alone will have to do the tests.  The Government hospitals in the state conduct RT-PCR tests for free.

The new RT-PCR test rates are inclusive of swab charges, PPE kits, and test kits. The state health minister said the decision has come close on the heels of the latest price reduction of the ICMR-approved kits.

If the private labs stop doing the tests, then travellers going to other states where RT-PCR negative certificates is mandatory will be facing difficulties.