Airline passengers have been urged to check their carrier’s Covid travel requirements before booking flights.
This came as a group of travellers was turned back at Bahrain airport yesterday because their pre-flight Covid-19 tests were not done at an “approved facility”.
This sparked outrage among the passengers who felt that the tests done at all Bahrain government-approved hospitals and clinics should be respected by the airlines.
As planes return to the skies after being grounded due to travel restrictions enforced by the pandemic, most airlines require travellers to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test.
“This is crazy,” said a 46-year-old French businessman who was booked to travel to Geneva along with his wife on Etihad Airways.
“My wife and I took our Covid-19 tests on Saturday at Al Noor Specialist Hospital by paying BD80.
“However, when we tried to check in yesterday, we were told that the airline accepted results of tests done at only Bahrain Specialist Hospital.
“We were shocked; we returned home and now we have to book another flight, after paying another BD80 for two more Covid-19 tests.”
He said he was going to miss an important meeting planned for today.
“A Bahraini woman who had taken her test at a public hospital was also furious, as was a Bahraini man who had got tested at the BDF Hospital.
UPROAR
“Around 80 per cent of the passengers booked on the flight were rejected, causing chaos and uproar at the airport.
“I have been living in Bahrain for 20 years and this is the first time something like this has happened to me.”
An official from Etihad Airways told the GDN that passengers must follow instructions given on its website regarding procedures to follow for a Covid-19 test.
According to its ‘Travel Guidelines and Regulations’, effective August 1 passengers will be permitted to fly only if they have a negative Covid-19 test result issued by an approved clinic.
It suggests that “the test be arranged with a Pure Health medical facility if there are approved clinics in your country of departure – test results from other clinics will not be accepted.
“If there are no approved Pure Health facilities in your city or country of departure, please refer to our list of locally approved medical clinics to arrange your Covid-19 test.”
The link shows Bahrain Specialist Hospital as the “approved facility”.
Pure Health is the largest laboratory operator in the GCC and a key partner of the UAE authorities in the fight against Covid-19.
Meanwhile, Noor Specialist Hospital senior medical officer Dr Eman ElFaraj said the airlines should respect the results of tests carried out at any of the nine health facilities approved by Bahrain’s National Health Regulatory Authority.
“This is not fair on us,” added Dr Al Faraj.
“We are one of the first private hospitals to be approved since May and we have conducted more than 2,000 Covid-19 tests.
“Many people travelling to Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Egypt and Sri Lanka got their tests done with us.”
FACILITIES
The licensed facilities include Ibn Al Nafees Hospital, Al Kindi Hospital, Royal Bahrain Hospital, Bahrain Specialist Hospital, Al Salam Specialist Hospital, American Mission Hospital, Dr Tariq Hospital, Noor Specialist Hospital, Awali Hospital King Abdullah Medical City in Segaiya and Manama, Al Rayan Hospital, Riffa and Middle East Hospital in Segaiya and Manama..
Later, the private Thyrocare Gulf Laboratories was also licensed to conduct Covid-19 tests.
noorz@gdn.com.bh
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