A passenger needs to present a Covid-19 test result from an approved Laboratory or a laboratory approved by an airline.
There is an increase in fake polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results in Nigeria. So, it is advisable for a passenger to us a centre that is approved by the government to avoid the consequences attached to fake polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result.
What is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test?
A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is a test conducted to detect a virus. The test can spot the remains of a virus even after you are no longer infected. So, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 is a test used to diagnosis people in other to ascertain if someone is infected with SARS-CoV-2.
How to get tested for COVID-19?
All you have to do is visit any government or an airline approved laboratory and make the necessary payment for the test.
After payment, a medical personal (doctor or a nurse) will attend to you. The doctor will insert a swab into your nose to collect respiratory material found in your nose. After collecting the sample, the swab will be sealed in a tube and then sent to a laboratory for examination.
In the laboratory, the sample collection will be extracted. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine will be used to check if SARS-CoV-2 is present in the sample or Not.
COVID-19 PCR test results?
Your result can either be negative or positive.
Positive Result: Positive result means you have COVID-19. If you have a scheduled flight, you will not be allowed to travel. At this point, the best thing to do is to suspend the flight/open the ticket so that you can use it anytime you’re free of COVID-19.
The second thing to do is to stay at home and see a medical doctor for proper medical care. Some people without any sign or symptoms can also be positive.
Negative Result: That means you don’t have a COVID-19. Congratulations, your free to travel. Having a negative result does not mean you cannot be positive again. If your exposed, you can still be infected.
The best thing to do is to take precautions and follow all the approved COVID-19 protocol. Stay Safe, Wear a Mask.
When To Get COVID-19 PCR test Result.
The result depends on how long the sample gets to the laboratory and also the number of samples in the queue before your own arrived. The test centre can also affect the result time. A COVID-19 PCR test Result can be ready at a max of 24 hours.
The amount you paid can also determine when the result will be ready. A test result can be ready in less than 8 hours from the time the sample was collected.
If you pay for express, the result will be ready as soon as possible. If you pay the normal fee, the result will be ready in 24 hours.
The price of a COVID-19 PCR Test
The cost of a COVID-19 PCR test varies from laboratory to laboratory. From what we know, the price is NGN 39,500 in some laboratory in Abuja. Some lab, charge more than NGN 40,000.
Government Approved Centers for COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in Lagos.
If you’re looking for the approved centres in Lagos, kindly click the download button below to get all the centres in one file. Look for a centre close to you or the one that suits your budget.
Government Approved Centers for COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in Abuja and other states
If your outside Lagos, this folder is for you. Hit the download button to download the file. All the approved centres are here. Select a hospital that is nearby or the one you can afford.
