Sachin Walls
Auckland Airport has been offering a variety of COVID-19 testing services, including pre-departure rapid antigen tests (RATs) and supervised RAT tests for travel. The airport has also trialled new testing methods, such as the 'Lamp' test, which combines the speed of RATs with the accuracy of PCR tests, and saliva tests, which aim to replace invasive nasal swab tests. These tests are conducted in collaboration with private companies and universities, such as Rako Science and the University of Illinois. The airport's general manager of corporate services, Mary-Liz Tuck, emphasised the importance of protective measures and the need for regular testing among airport staff.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Auckland Airport |
| Type of test | RAT (Rapid Antigen Test), Lamp test, Saliva test |
| Who can get tested | Travellers, workers, and events |
| Cost | RAT tests are less expensive than PCR tests. Lamp tests are sold for about $75, cheaper than PCR tests that cost between $200 and $250. |
| Results | Results are available in about 15-30 minutes |
| Collection system | Rako Science's sample collection system does not depend on medical professionals to administer the test |
| Collection site | International terminal |
| Who can administer | Self-administered, trained test administrator for nasal swab |
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What You'll Learn
Covid-19 RAT tests at Auckland Airport
Auckland Airport has been offering Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to travellers in partnership with All Clear. The tests are conducted at Aeroparks Auckland Airport, located at 36 Richard Pearse Drive, Airport Oaks. Travellers can park at Aeroparks or take a taxi/rideshare to the testing location. Aeroparks also provides free transport to and from either airport terminal.
The benefits of the supervised RAT testing service include immediate results, lower costs compared to PCR tests, and a convenient location. Results are available in about 15-30 minutes, and a comprehensive digitally signed report and QR code are issued, streamlining pre-departure and arrival airport checks. The rapid antigen tests are also less expensive than PCR tests, which must be sent to a lab for processing.
In addition to the fixed testing location, All Clear also offers a mobile testing service in Auckland, Christchurch, and Whangarei. Travellers can register with their home or workplace address and desired date and time, and a tester will come to them to conduct the supervised RAT test.
Auckland Airport has also been trialling a new saliva-based test on its workforce, developed by Rako Science and licensed from the University of Illinois. This test is intended to prove that saliva testing can be as accurate as the invasive nasal swab testing currently required by the New Zealand government. The trial is being conducted on a voluntary basis, with the goal of improving the detection of COVID-19 cases before they spread to others.
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Pre-departure Covid-19 testing services
In addition to RAT tests, Auckland Airport has also trialled new, more accurate COVID-19 tests, known as Lamp (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) tests. These tests can be self-administered and provide results in 30 minutes through a green or red light indication. Lamp tests are expected to be cheaper than PCR tests, costing around $75, and could be carried by travellers to ensure they have the required test upon returning to New Zealand.
Auckland Airport has also supported the deployment of a non-invasive, fast-turnaround, accurate saliva test for COVID-19 in collaboration with Rako Science and the University of Illinois. This test is intended to make asymptomatic testing simpler and more comfortable for airport and border workers while providing robust community protection. The saliva test is not a replacement for the nasal swab test but is being trialled to assess its accuracy in asymptomatic testing.
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Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)
In addition to the services provided by All Clear, Auckland Airport has also supported the deployment of saliva-based COVID-19 tests in partnership with Rako Science. This initiative aimed to provide a non-invasive, fast-turnaround, and accurate testing option for airport staff and border workers. The collection site was established in the international terminal, and the tests were conducted on a voluntary basis. Rako Science's saliva screening service has a processing capacity of 10,000 tests per day and does not require administration by medical professionals.
It is important to note that the saliva tests offered by Rako Science do not replace the nasal-swab testing mandated by the Government's border policies. However, they provide an additional layer of protection and can help identify positive cases early, reducing the risk of community transmission. The SHIELD saliva test used by Rako Science was developed at the University of Illinois and has been authorised for use in the United States by the US Federal Drug Administration.
While the Rako Science testing site at Auckland Airport was operational for a period, testing may be suspended during higher COVID-19 Alert Levels. Therefore, it is advisable to check the current status of testing services before planning to utilise them. Additionally, online (virtual) supervised COVID-19 RAT testing options may be available for travellers, providing flexibility and convenience.
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Covid-19 saliva tests
Saliva-based testing has emerged as an attractive, low-cost alternative to nasal swab testing. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a saliva-based test as part of its response to COVID-19. The test has been featured extensively in the national media and science publications. The saliva-based test was developed by chemistry professors Martin Burke and Paul Hergenrother. Burke leads the university's SHIELD initiative, which has implemented rapid and scalable COVID-19 testing to detect the virus by testing thousands of students, faculty, and staff on campus multiple times a week. Hergenrother explained that saliva-based testing may be superior because it "directly tests the fluid responsible for transmitting the virus between people, [so it may give] a better indication of who is most contagious."
Auckland Airport has partnered with Rako Science, a Kiwi business, to deploy a non-invasive, fast-turnaround, accurate saliva test for COVID-19. Rako Science has established COVID-19 surveillance testing in New Zealand using the SHIELD saliva test developed at the University of Illinois. They have set up a collection site in the international terminal where Auckland Airport staff have been providing saliva samples on a voluntary basis. Rako Science's saliva screening service has been developed for high-frequency, asymptomatic workplace testing and can process 10,000 tests per day.
All Clear also provides a COVID-19 testing service in Auckland for Pre-Departure RAT Tests and Supervised RAT Tests for Travel using Rapid Antigen Assays. The benefits of All Clear's supervised RAT testing include immediate results, lower costs, a QR Code certificate, and a convenient location at Auckland Airport.
COVID-19 home tests are now covered by select insurance plans. Home test kits are also available for purchase at CVS Pharmacy, including rapid antigen tests and at-home PCR tests.
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Lamp tests
The benefits of Lamp tests include providing a self-test option with quick results for travellers, border workers, healthcare workers, and critical employees. The tests are also cheaper than PCR tests, typically selling for about $75.
Auckland Airport has been working to implement various testing methods to protect its people and the community from COVID-19. The introduction of Lamp tests adds another tool to their toolbox in the fight against the virus.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Auckland Airport has partnered with Kiwi business Rako Science to deploy a non-invasive, fast-turnaround, accurate saliva test for COVID-19. The tests are conducted on a voluntary basis and do not replace the nasal-swab testing required by the Government’s border policies.
Testing is available for travellers, workers and events. You can book a test online or call the testing centre. Testing times may vary.
The cost of a COVID-19 test at Auckland Airport is not specified. However, rapid antigen tests are generally less expensive than PCR tests, which must be sent to a lab for processing.
