Mumbai, Aug 12 (PTI) The Maharashtra government has reduced by Rs 300 the rates of COVID-19 tests conducted by laboratories, bringing them in the range of Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,500.

State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said this in a statement on Wednesday.

Also Read | Shripad Y Naik, Union Minister of State for AYUSH, Tests Positive for COVID-19; Read Tweet.

"The maximum charges for testing now stand at Rs 1,900, Rs 2,200 and Rs 2,500. No laboratory can charge above these prescribed rates," he said.

"This decision was taken by the state-appointed committee to regulate the COVID-19 testing charges so that patients do not face any financial burden," the minister said.

Also Read | Jammu & Kashmir Reports 482 New COVID-19 Cases, Total Tally Rises to 26,413: Live Breaking News Headlines & Coronavirus Updates on August 12, 2020.

The test charges vary depending on the collection of swabs from home or through viral transport media (VTM) from hospitals.

On the cost of PPE kits as well as other necessary equipment, Tope said, "The prices of these items have gone down as well thanks to the increased supply."

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)