Now that I wanted to get transferred to the Novotel hotel, I was told that I would have to give a declaration to the hotel that I am virus-free, an undertaking form would have to be signed or I could give them my COVID -19 Test result along with a Virus-free certificate. I got into action and googled the nearest test center and hospital in Andheri East. The Hospital was Holy Spirit Hospital, so I went there on further enquires I was asked to go in and goto the testing camp behind near the garden. I went straight and stopped infant of a white stall manned by heath attendants dressed in all white. They said that the center is open 10:00 am to 5;00 pm, are with a fee of Rs 4500 I could be tested, and the results would be given to me in 48 hrs. Simple I thought to myself and decided to go there in the afternoon the next day, which I did only to be told the procedure had changed now I had to go online get a form, goto a local doctor, and get it signed after that only would I be tested. I tried to explain I had the money to take it and test me why bother with a form and going to a doctor first. The guidelines had to be followed and I got a bit frustrated with the procedure along with that the attendants were very unhelpful. It was not that they were very busy they only had three or four people to attend to and they had the computer and all the other equipment.

I came back with disappointed with the from in my hand and further did some research on the net, in Mumbai you have labs like SRL Diagnostics, metropolis.com these have been approved by the ICMR and have an online system of downloading forms which have to be first attested by the local doctor for symptoms, if approved you need to upload the form back on the site and order a test, which can be purchased through a cart system and payment made online. There is a system of home collection for your COVID Tests. Best is to look for local hospitals and Clinics in your area and find out if they have a COVID testing booth. The cost of the test is Rs 4500. The helpline numbers for the city and other metros centers are given on the websites.

The name of the test is RT PCR Test, there is an MCGM protocol to be followed, one needs to register first with name and other details on these sites and a user id and password are emailed to you with the OTP once you register you download the doctors form remember no form no test.