SC Orders Centre To Ensure Private Labs Provide Coronavirus Tests Free Of Cost

The Supreme Court in interim directions issued to the central government on Wednesday (8 April), asked it to ensure that government labs and accredited private laboratories provide coronavirus testing free of cost, ANI has reported.

The centre has thus been asked to issue immediate guidelines regarding the same. The court added that the testing must be carried out in labs accredited to either National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories(NABL), WHO or ICMR.

Earlier the Supreme Court had suggested that private labs should not charge exorbitantly for COVID-19 tests, and asked the Centre to explore a mechanism wherein the amount spend on these tests could be reimbursed.

The observation from the apex court came on a petition that sought its direction to ensure free COVID-19 testing for all citizens - both in government and private labs.