Company workers can have an antigen test instead of RTPCR

Aurangabad, April 13:

While initiating a partial lockdown in the state, the government had given relief to the manufacturing industries and allowed them to continue the production. However, in doing so, it was mandatory to conduct RTPCR tests of workers every fortnight. However, in reality, the test is expensive and it is not affordable to do it every fortnight. As a result, the state government has now allowed the non-vaccinated staff working in various sectors including industries to take the rapid antigen test (RAT) instead of the RTPCR test. The government's decision has certainly brought some relief to the industrialists.

The coronavirus is spreading rapidly in the state and the death toll has become alarming. Against this backdrop, the state government has implemented partial and weekend lockdown. Industries have been excluded from the lockdown. However, the establishments which are going to continue to work are required to conduct RTPCR tests of the workers every fortnight. Giving more information, Massia president Abhay Hanchanal said, in reality, there is a huge crowd in the testing labs and it is dangerous to send workers to such places all day long. It is also time-consuming with the test being expensive. Hence the industrial fraternity had demanded the government to revise the order in this regard, to which the government has responded positively and has now opened up the option of RAT instead of RTPCR. This will also significantly reduce the per capita cost of tests.

Success to pursuit

The state government has approved the demand made by the industrial associations and now allows the industrialists to take RAT instead of RTPCR. The order said that antigen test is being allowed as an option to the RTPCR test and the rule will come into force from April 10. The decision came after testing centres across the state witnessed huge crowds with employees wanting to get their RTPCR tests done as soon as possible so that they could return to their work at the earliest.