Birmingham Airport's Pcr Testing: Where And How?

Birmingham Airport has been at the forefront of the UK's fight against Covid-19, implementing various measures to protect its customers and employees. From providing hand sanitiser stations and mandating face coverings to introducing rapid testing services for staff and travellers, the airport has been committed to creating a safe environment for all. With the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic, Birmingham Airport has adapted its operations to align with national guidelines and ensure the safety of its passengers. One key question remains: does Birmingham Airport offer PCR tests for travellers?

Birmingham Airport's paid PCR testing service for passengers

Birmingham Airport offers a paid PCR testing service for passengers, delivered by ExpressTest and located in the terminal building. This service is for those who need to provide a negative PCR or antigen COVID test result and a relevant 'fit to fly' certificate, which is required by many of the destinations served by the airport. The PCR tests are priced at £80 per person for travel passengers and £99 per person for the test-only service.

The walk-in site, which opened in January 2021, is complemented by a drive-through testing facility operated by Cignpost ExpressTest. The drive-through has eight lanes, a testing capacity of 8,064 per week, and is targeted at asymptomatic members of the public who do not qualify for NHS emergency testing but require a negative result to visit family members or fly abroad.

The airport has implemented several measures to create a COVID-secure environment, including hand sanitiser stations, perspex screens at customer touchpoints, social distancing markers, and mandatory face coverings. These measures aim to protect customers and employees and facilitate a safe travel experience.

In addition to the passenger testing service, Birmingham Airport also provides free lateral flow testing for its employees. This testing service, developed in collaboration with Solihull Council, aims to identify asymptomatic cases among staff and prevent the spread of the virus within the workplace.

The airport's lateral flow testing for employees

Birmingham Airport has implemented lateral flow testing for its employees as part of its efforts to protect customers and staff from COVID-19. The airport offers a free rapid testing service for all on-site employees to help identify any positive cases in the workplace. This initiative is aligned with the national drive to detect asymptomatic cases and prevent the spread of the virus.

Working in collaboration with Solihull Council, the airport has established dedicated booking platform and testing centres for staff to undergo regular testing while working on-site. The tests are conducted by trained airport personnel who have been instructed in setting up and performing quality-assured testing.

The testing service aims to swiftly identify asymptomatic carriers of the virus among the staff, ensuring that those who test positive can immediately self-isolate to minimise the risk of transmission. The results of the tests are communicated directly to the employees via the NHS Test and Trace service within 30 minutes of testing.

Al Titterington, the Airport’s Terminal Operations Director, acknowledged the importance of testing in the airport's recovery process, stating that offering lateral flow tests to all staff would increase the likelihood of detecting asymptomatic cases. This proactive approach not only safeguards the health of passengers, employees, and partners but also fosters a reassuring environment for customers as travel restrictions are gradually eased.

In alignment with government guidelines, Birmingham Airport has also implemented several other COVID-secure measures. These include the installation of hand sanitiser stations, the use of Perspex screens at customer touchpoints, mandatory face coverings, and an enhanced cleaning regime using safe, anti-viral mist treatment.

The introduction of lateral flow testing for employees at Birmingham Airport reflects the airport's commitment to creating a safe and healthy environment for all stakeholders as air travel gradually resumes.

The cost of PCR tests at the airport

Birmingham Airport offers PCR tests for £80 per person for travel passengers and £99 per person for the test-only service. The test is available to those who are asymptomatic and do not qualify for NHS emergency testing but require a negative result to visit family members or fly abroad.

The airport has a walk-in site and a drive-through facility operated by Cignpost ExpressTest, with the latter having eight lanes and a testing capacity of 8,064 a week. The drive-through facility is targeted at those who do not show symptoms but need a negative result to travel or visit family.

The airport has also implemented other measures to create a COVID-secure environment, including hand sanitiser units, perspex screens at customer touchpoints, social distancing markers and signage, and an enhanced cleaning regime using anti-viral mist treatment. Face coverings are mandatory in airport buildings and buses.

In addition to the PCR tests, the airport also provides lateral flow tests for its employees, which are free of charge. This service aims to identify asymptomatic cases among staff to protect passengers, employees, and partners.

The airport's Covid-19 safety measures

Birmingham Airport has implemented several measures to ensure the safety of its passengers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Firstly, the airport has introduced a rapid testing service for all on-site employees, in collaboration with Solihull Council. This service is free of charge and aims to identify any positive cases of the virus, particularly among asymptomatic individuals. The testing centres are dedicated to staff, ensuring regular and efficient testing. Those who test positive are required to self-isolate to reduce the spread of the virus.

In addition to employee testing, Birmingham Airport also offers an on-site passenger testing service, delivered by ExpressTest. This service is located within the terminal building and is available for passengers who need to provide a negative PCR or antigen COVID test result, along with a 'fit to fly' certificate, to their destination countries.

The airport has also made significant changes to its infrastructure to create a COVID-secure environment. This includes the installation of hand sanitiser units throughout the site, the use of perspex screens at customer touchpoints, and the implementation of social distancing markers and signage. An enhanced cleaning regime, utilising safe, anti-viral mist treatment, has also been put in place. Furthermore, face coverings are mandatory in airport buildings and buses.

Birmingham Airport has also proposed scrapping testing requirements for double-jabbed passengers to reduce delays and long queues at the airport. However, this decision has been met with some concerns regarding the safety of vaccinated individuals who may still be able to catch and spread the virus, even if at a lower rate.

The airport's measures aim to provide reassurance and create a safe environment for travellers as they gradually return to the skies.

The airport's plans to scrap testing for double-jabbed passengers

Birmingham Airport has proposed to stop testing double-jabbed passengers as the UK government continues to review and amend Covid-19 travel restrictions. While the government has hinted that later this year, fully vaccinated travellers will only need to take lateral flow tests, Birmingham Airport has welcomed the changes and stated that removing all tests would be ideal.

Scrap the tests: the Benefits

Passenger numbers at Birmingham Airport are gradually increasing, with nearly half a million passengers travelling through its terminals in August 2021. While this is still a small fraction of pre-Covid numbers, the extra layers of security checks, testing, and document verification have caused frequent delays. Removing testing for double-jabbed passengers would reduce queues and waiting times and make boarding faster. It would also save the airport money, as they would need to purchase fewer tests. Additionally, passengers might find the airport more attractive if they didn't have to spend money on tests or wait in long lines.

Keep the tests: safety first

However, removing testing for vaccinated passengers could have safety implications. Even after full vaccination, there is still a possibility of contracting and spreading Covid-19, although the risk is reduced. A study of over 9,800 travellers with negative PCR tests 72 hours before departure from the US to Italy showed that only 0.05% had active infections. While this study suggests that pre-travel PCR testing reduces the probability of active infection, it was conducted before the Delta variant spread and when vaccination rates were lower.

As the UK government continues to revise travel regulations, Birmingham Airport's proposal to scrap testing for double-jabbed passengers has both pros and cons. While it would reduce delays and costs, it could also increase the risk of Covid-19 transmission. The optimal pre-travel testing plan is still unknown, and decisions regarding testing requirements depend on various factors, including transmission rates, test types, and vaccination status.

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