Gujarat Govt reduces rates of COVID-19 testing at Private labs

• The Gujarat government on Thursday reduced the rates for COVID-19 tests conducted at private laboratories from Rs 4,000 to Rs 2,500.
• The announcement has come 10 days after senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel claimed that test rates at private laboratories in Gujarat were higher than many states.
• Deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said government-authorised private laboratories will now charge Rs 2,500 instead of the present cost of Rs 4,000 for COVID-19 tests.
• Moreover, private laboratories will lose their licenses if they charge more than the stipulated fee, he said.
• Meanwhile, reacting to the announcement, leader of opposition Paresh Dhanani said people should not be charged more than Rs 1,000 for coronavirus test.

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