Shannon Airport: Covid Testing Availability And Accessibility

Shannon Airport in Ireland has a COVID-19 testing centre, operated by Irish healthcare company RocDoc. The centre opened in November 2020 and provides pre-departure tests for passengers flying out of the airport in accordance with the EU's traffic light system. The facility offers rapid antigen, antibody, and RT-PCR tests, with results available within a few hours. Tests must be pre-booked online and can be conducted via a drive-thru or walk-thru service.

Shannon Airport's COVID-19 testing centre location

Shannon Airport in Ireland has a COVID-19 testing centre located in Coach Park 2, adjacent to departures. The testing centre is operated by Irish healthcare company RocDoc and offers both drive-thru and walk-thru testing facilities. Tests must be pre-booked online and a variety of tests are available, including RT-PCR, rapid antigen, and antibody tests. Results are typically available within 24 hours for RT-PCR tests, 1 hour for rapid antigen tests, and 4 working days for antibody tests. It is important to note that the antibody test does not detect if an individual currently has COVID-19.

The testing centre at Shannon Airport was praised as a welcome development for the local community and a step towards restoring consumer confidence in air travel. The centre primarily conducts pre-departure tests for passengers flying out of the airport in accordance with the EU's traffic light system for international travel. However, it is also open to members of the public and local businesses who wish to be tested.

RocDoc's mobile category-two laboratory is capable of meeting the needs of large organizations that require same-day results. The company has over 20 years of experience in providing field hospital units for events such as music festivals and concerts in the UK and Ireland. Their testing facilities at Shannon Airport are well-equipped to handle a high volume of tests, with the potential to test thousands of people daily.

The opening of the testing centre was an important step in the recovery of the aviation sector, with the hope that widespread testing would give passengers greater confidence to travel. The centre prioritizes passenger safety and convenience, offering a modular design that allows for efficient and contact-less testing.

Testing centre operator and experience

Shannon Airport's COVID-19 testing centre is operated by Irish healthcare company RocDoc, which has over 20 years of experience in providing field hospital units for music festivals and concerts in the UK and Ireland. RocDoc also provides support for the annual Dublin City Marathon, deploying over 150 medical professionals and 15 ambulances. The company currently operates a GP service and a Minor Emergency Department in Ashbourne.

RocDoc's Shannon Airport testing centre offers both drive-thru (in-car) and walk-thru testing facilities. The centre is located in Coach Park 2, adjacent to departures. People seeking to book a test can do so online and must print out their booking to be scanned through their car window upon arrival. The test takes about five minutes, and results are available within a few hours.

The centre provides three different types of swab tests for COVID-19, all of which are Health Products Regulatory Authority-approved. These include the RT-PCR test for €95 with results in 24 hours, the rapid antigen test for €49 with results within 1 hour, and the antibody test for €69 with results in four working days. It is important to note that the antibody test does not detect if an individual currently has COVID-19.

Those who test positive for COVID-19 will receive a phone call from a health professional from RocDoc's team of doctors, nurses, and paramedics. They will provide advice and also contact the person's GP and the HSE to initiate contact tracing. The testing centre is not only for passengers but is also open to members of the public and local businesses who wish to be tested.

Testing centre opening date

Shannon Airport has a COVID-19 testing centre that opened on 12 November 2020. The centre is operated by Irish healthcare company RocDoc and is located in Coach Park 2 at Shannon Airport. The centre offers both drive-thru and walk-thru testing facilities, with tests that must be pre-booked online.

The testing centre was praised as a "welcome development for the local community" by Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine, who added that "having the facility to offer pre-departure testing at the airport is an important step in restoring consumer confidence to fly again."

The centre provides pre-departure tests for passengers flying out of the airport in accordance with the EU's traffic light system for international travel. It offers a range of tests, including the RT-PCR test for €95 with results in 24 hours, the rapid antigen test for €49 with results within 1 hour, and the antibody test for €69 with results in four working days.

The opening of the testing centre was part of a wider effort to assist the Irish aviation industry in recovering to more sustainable levels following the introduction of the EU-wide traffic light system. RocDoc chief executive David Rock expressed confidence in the testing centre's ability to scale up and meet demand from travellers.

Types of COVID-19 tests available

Shannon Airport in Ireland has a drive-through COVID-19 testing centre operated by the Irish healthcare company RocDoc. The testing centre is located in Coach Park 2 at Shannon Airport and provides pre-departure tests for passengers flying out of the airport in accordance with the EU's traffic light system. The tests are available to the public, with results available within a few hours.

Regarding the types of COVID-19 tests available, there are two main categories: viral tests and antibody tests. Viral tests detect a current infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by testing specimens from the nose or mouth. The two main types of viral tests are nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests. NAATs, including PCR tests, are considered the "gold standard" for COVID-19 testing as they are more likely to detect the virus than antigen tests. NAATs typically require a healthcare provider to collect the sample, which is then sent to a laboratory for testing, with results available within a few days. However, some NAATs can be performed at the point-of-care, providing quicker results. Antigen tests, on the other hand, can be self-administered at home or at a testing site, and they are useful for individuals who want to quickly determine their infection status. For individuals with symptoms, the FDA recommends two negative antigen tests, while for those without symptoms, three antigen tests are recommended, performed 48 hours apart.

In addition to viral tests, antibody tests are also available. Antibody testing, also known as serology testing, can determine whether an individual has developed immunity to COVID-19, either through a past infection or from a vaccine. This type of test detects the presence of antibodies in the blood that are produced by the body to fight off the virus. Antibody tests do not detect a current infection but rather indicate a previous exposure to the virus. At-home, over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests are also available and can be purchased online or at local stores. These tests allow individuals to collect their own samples and perform the test themselves without sending it to a laboratory. It is important to follow the instructions provided by the test manufacturer to ensure accurate results.

COVID-19 test prices and results time

Shannon Airport in Ireland has a COVID-19 testing centre operated by Irish healthcare company RocDoc. The testing centre is located in Coach Park 2 at Shannon Airport and offers pre-departure testing for passengers flying out of the airport in accordance with the EU's traffic light system. The centre provides quick, private testing with results available within a few hours.

The price of COVID-19 tests varies depending on the type of test and location. Without insurance, COVID-19 tests can range from $10 to $300. Rapid antigen tests are usually cheaper, ranging from $10 to $200, but they are less accurate than PCR tests, which cost $25 to $300. Rapid tests can also be purchased at Walgreens and CVS for $20 to $140 for patients without insurance. DispatchHealth offers COVID-19 testing for $375, which includes any laboratory tests and care received during the visit.

The time it takes to receive test results can depend on the type of test. Rapid tests can provide results in minutes or within 15-30 minutes, while PCR tests can take a few days or up to 3 days. Antibody tests can have a turnaround time of 24-48 hours. It is important to follow the instructions provided with your specific test kit to ensure accurate results.

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