Passengers rebelled against the regime and refused to pay $ 60 for the mandatory COVID-19 test to enter Venezuela

Passengers entering Venezuela bypassed the security of Simón Bolívar de Maiquetía International Airport, which serves the city of Caracas and They did not do the mandatory PCR test, which comes at a cost of $ 60 imposed by the Nicolás Maduro regime.

This was recorded in a video posted by the local newspaper Vargas’ truth, in which he stressed that the passengers were upset because they waited for hours to be able to take the sample to detect the coronavirus.

In the images, you can see the moment when users walk by from crowds, with an obvious attitude of rebellion and annoyance, towards the building without passing the test.

“It’s to get money from people. They are looking for a way to get dollars and take what little from those who have earned it ”, expressed a user on social networks.

On March 2, the regime of Nicolás Maduro announced that a private laboratory has been set up at Maiquetía airport to perform PCR tests on users arriving in the country. The cost of the exam is $ 60, as reported by local media, The National.

The company in charge of the exams is called Casalab Yes payments must be made in cash.

Venezuelan airlines such as Laser and Avior have said in statements that the measure will begin to be implemented on Wednesday, March 3.

People, most of them wearing masks, broke the human barrier that had been designed at this airport, the country’s main airport, to stop the transit of passengers arriving in Venezuela from abroad.

This new health control, which came into effect on Wednesday, establishes that anyone entering Venezuelan territory must undergo a C-reactive protein test (PCR) in a single laboratory, before going through migration procedures., collect your luggage or go through customs.

On the first day under this mod, some social media users posted photographs to show long lines of people who waited between two and four hours for these tests.

According to the testimony of several passengers, There were issues in completing payment for these tests, as they are to be paid exclusively in dollars in cash and the staff did not have money to give change., a scenario that is repeated in almost all companies in Venezuela.

“I don’t have the money to pay those $ 60. I just paid to take the flight from Panama and in 24 hours it’s a lie that it’s infecting me and I’m going to take the test. Many of us here are protesting against it. We also have ground transportation services waiting and holding us while it is resolved.“Said the young man to local media. The Pitazo.

Others who voiced their rejection of the charge were airline staff. According to the stipulations of the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics of Venezuela (Inac), the crew of each flight must also undergo the PCR test, which was normally done when it was free.

“The airline then has to pay between $ 560 and $ 600 per flight to that lab and in cash. It’s crazy. You pay more for the test than what you earn for the flight “commented on a cabin crew member, who did not want to be identified, when The Pitazo.

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