Testing has Been Recommended for Eligible Individuals Coming With Due Prescriptions of Doctors: ICMR Informs Delhi HC

Indian Council of Medical Research has informed the Delhi High Court that it has recommended testing for only those eligible individuals who are coming with due prescriptions of doctors. The clarification was provided to the Single Bench of Justice Navin Chawla in a plea challenging the mandatory requirement of a doctor’s prescription to undergo a COVID19 test. By a letter dated July 20, ICMR has further submitted that opening up testing for all asymptomatic patients will create an unnecessary burden on labs which will lead to missing out of individuals who are in actual need of the test. The Petitioners have submitted that many States, such as Himachal Pradesh, require the individuals to produce a COVID-19 negative certificate before allowing them entry. It is pointed out by the Petitioner that by an advisory dated July 01, the ICMR had strongly advised States to ensure that laboratories are free to carry out tests, without the prior requirement of a doctor’s certificate. Therefore, it is the case of the Petitioner that ICMR has not undertaken any steps towards ensuring that the mandatory requirement of a doctor’s Petition is done away with.