RT-PCR test not accepted for travel purposes – Health Minister clarifies

…as Guyana records 159th COVID-19 death, 26 new cases

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has clarified the difference between the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and the RT-PCR, noting that the latter is an antigen test that is not permitted for travel. 

On Thursday, he said persons will not be allowed to travel with an antigen test, which is the same as the RT-PCR tests being done locally.
He shared that persons should understand the difference between the two tests, and be mindful of the required one to ease the confusion.
“There have been some travellers who would go to the labs to get the test done, and sometimes the labs tell them that they’re doing RT-PCR; but when they use the term RT-PCR, in a lot of cases, it refers to Rapid Test PCR. That is an antigen test, and it is not the one that we require. So, this is something that people must understand. You have to get the right test, because if you come to the airport with an antigen test, then you would not be allowed to travel,” the Minister shared.
In addition to the mandatory protective gears that have to be worn onboard the aircraft, passengers have to be in possession of a negative PCR test, which can be done in two categories.
The first is within 72 hours of the flight; and if that is negative, the passenger would be processed and allowed to leave freely. The second test is within seven days of travelling. In the latter case, persons would have to undergo a second test upon arrival in Guyana. They would have to pay for that test, and until the results are available, they would have to remain at the airport.
“Once you have the right test, then you go through all the procedures and come on the flight. Upon arrival here in Guyana, we have a Port Health Department that is at the airport, and you are required to meet with the Port Health officials and they will go through a screening with you. They have a questionnaire for each passenger. If they determine that you need that second test, then Eureka (Labs) would be able to take the swab to do this test. That is a totally private arrangement.”
The Minister explained that in this private arrangement, the Government is not collecting the money from the tests, but the private laboratory is.
“We are not responsible for those payments. Those payments are made to the private sector laboratory that then would be able to do the test for them,” he highlighted.
Since the reopening of the two major ports – the Cheddi Jagan and Ogle International Airports – back in October, Dr Anthony noted, the process is much smoother. Since the airports reopened, 20 positives were detected.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry on Thursday evening reported that one more person who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has died. This takes the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 159.
The latest fatality is a 56-year-old female from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) who died while receiving care at a medical facility.
In addition, 26 new COVID-19 cases have brought the total of positive cases to 6042. Eight persons remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 35 in institutional isolation, 644 on home isolation, and 70 in institutional quarantine.
A breakdown shows that three new cases were detected in Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Region 6(East Berbice-Corentyne), one in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 24 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
In addition, 919 cases were detected in Region 1 (Barima-Waini); 423 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 69 in Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica), 183 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 391 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).