NEW DELHI: For the first time, the Union Health Ministry has permitted on-demand COVID-19 testing without a prescription. The Union Health Ministry updated its advisory on Covid-19 testing strategy on the recommendations of the National Task Force on the novel coronavirus.
“Just because, alongside more improved modalities, the refreshed rules accommodate ‘On-demand’ testing so as to guarantee more significant levels of testing,” read a delivery by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The advisory elaborated testing on demand in various given settings:
It is to be noted that state governments need to decide simplified modalities. The on-demand testing facility can be availed by:
- All individuals undertaking travel to countries/Indian states mandating a negative COVID-19 test at point of entry.
- All individuals who wish to get themselves tested.
Tracking and contact tracing mechanisms should be ensured by the testing laboratories by notifying the public health authorities.
The health ministry also highlighted the frequency of Covid-19 testing. It stated that a single RT-PCR/TrueNat/CBNAAT/RAT positive test is to be considered confirmatory, without any repeat testing.
No re-testing is recommended prior to discharge from a COVID-19 facility after clinical recovery (please refer to MoHFW guidelines), including for transfer from a COVID area/ facility to a non-COVID area/ facility.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had earlier updated their Covid-19 testing strategy with the on-demand facility guidelines.