Port Blair, Sept 21: Mr. Ajoy Bairagi State President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has requested the Deputy Commissioners of South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman and Nicobar District to reduce the cost of the mandatory COVID-19 tests required for travel.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi in his letter to all the three Deputy Commissioners have stated that it is mandatory for Islanders to undergo COVID-19 tests if they intend to travel within the Islands for various reasons like treatment, studies, small businesses etc.
The Islanders are charged Rs. 500 everytime for tests through Rapid Testing Kits.
He further wrote that the Islands are not untouched by the hardships faced elsewhere in the world and the general public if facing several hurdles because of the economic slowdown.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi further informed that the charging Rs. 500 from general public for Rapid Antigen Tests everytime they intend to travel is creating holes in their pockets.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi requested the Deputy Commissioners to look into the matter and make the Rapid Anitegen Tests free or charge minimum amount possible for those people who are intending to travel within Andaman and Nicobar Islands.