Port Blair, Dec. 4: The State President, BJP, Shri. Ajoy Bairagi has written a letter to the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Secretary (Health), A&N Administration, Deputy Commissioner (South Andaman), Deputy Commissioner (North and Middle Andaman) and Deputy Commissioner (Nicobar) requesting them to conduct rapid antigen COVID-19 test free of cost for the Islanders.

Bairagi in his letter has mentioned that, COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating affects both physically as well as economically. He also mentioned that the daily wage earners of the Islands are anyhow managing their respective families with great difficulties. Almost everyone has exhausted their bank balance and under these circumstances they are forced to pay Rs. 500/- per head for undertaking any short trip to any other district for their business or domestic purposes. Moreover travelling by helicopter also requires additional Rs. 500/- for COVID-19 test.

Bairagi emphasized that it has become an extra burden for everyone, who are often required to travel between different districts. The case of the daily commuters from Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep who have to shell out Rs. 500/- per person for the test every day. He informed the officials that the Bharatiya Janata Party has been continuously requesting the Administration to waive off the fees for Rapid Antigen COVID-19 test but apart from assurances nothing has been done yet. 

Ajoy Bairagi has therefore requested the authorities to seriously look into the issue and waive off the charges for Rapid Antigen COVID-19 test.