Airports' Covid Testing: Methods And Measures Explained

Airports around the world have been introducing testing facilities to screen passengers for COVID-19. In the UK, Collinson offers mandatory COVID-19 tests for all arrivals, allowing travellers to take the first of two required RT-PCR tests (the Day 2 test) as soon as they arrive at the airport. Heathrow has also partnered with Express Test to set up a drive-through PCR facility. In the US, John F Kennedy and LaGuardia airports in New York City have also set up testing facilities.

Testing facilities at airports

Airports around the world have been setting up testing facilities to screen passengers for Covid-19. For example, John F Kennedy and LaGuardia airports in New York City have set up testing facilities to screen passengers arriving into the city. Heathrow Airport in the UK has also partnered with Express Test to set up a drive-through PCR facility.

Collinson is offering the mandatory Covid-19 tests currently required for all arrivals into the UK. Travellers can take the first of their two required RT-PCR tests (the Day 2 test) as soon as they arrive at the airport. The Day 8 test must be carried out by the same provider. Collinson Testing centre is located at a new drive-through facility in the APH long-stay car park on Copthorne Road.

It is also possible to get a test at Boots (pre-booking required), while the airport’s Hilton and Sofitel hotels are offering “Test and Rest” packages that include PCR self-testing. Travellers should schedule a test 48-72 hours prior to their departure time and those who screen negative will be emailed a “Fit to Fly” certificate authorised by a doctor, plus their test result.

However, some people have argued that testing at airports is not the best solution due to the capacity challenges of confining people in a small space for testing. Instead, a mandatory, pre-departure testing system paired with a secure way of storing results that can work as a medical certificate for passengers has been suggested.

Mandatory Covid-19 tests for arrivals into the UK

Travellers arriving in the UK are required to take a mandatory Covid-19 test. Collinson offers the mandatory Covid-19 tests for all arrivals into the UK, allowing travellers to take the first of their two required RT-PCR tests (the Day 2 test) as soon as they arrive at the airport. The Day 8 test must be carried out by the same provider. Travellers should schedule a test 48-72 hours prior to their departure time and those who screen negative will be emailed a “Fit to Fly” certificate authorised by a doctor, plus their test result. Tests can be booked at expresstest.co.uk and customers will be sent a QR code to show alongside their passport or employee ID. Heathrow has also partnered with Express Test to set up a drive-through PCR facility.

Boots also offers Covid-19 tests for travellers arriving in the UK, but pre-booking is required. The airport’s Hilton and Sofitel hotels are offering “Test and Rest” packages that include PCR self-testing.

Some people have criticised testing at airports, arguing that it is not practicable nor desirable. Michael Rossell, ACI World senior vice president of international relations and corporate secretary, has said that there are capacity challenges with confining people in a small space for testing. He also argues that there is an epidemiological problem with bringing people who may be positive into close contact with each other. Instead, ACI is lobbying to introduce a mandatory, pre-departure testing system paired with a secure way of storing results that can work as a medical certificate for passengers.

In the US, New York's John F Kennedy and LaGuardia airports have set up testing facilities to screen passengers arriving into New York City for signs of Covid-19. Governor Andrew Cuomo has said that the new testing facilities will allow the state "to do faster testing of people coming in".

Pre-departure testing

Boots also offers pre-departure testing, but pre-booking is required. Heathrow Airport has partnered with Express Test to set up a drive-through PCR facility. The Express Test centre is located at the South Terminal’s long-stay car park and is open daily from 1000-1800. The Collinson Testing Centre is located at a new drive-through facility in the APH long-stay car park on Copthorne Road.

The airport’s Hilton and Sofitel hotels are offering “Test and Rest” packages that include PCR self-testing.

Some airports, such as John F Kennedy and LaGuardia in New York City, have set up testing facilities to screen passengers arriving for signs of COVID-19.

Testing at Boots

Boots is one of the providers offering Covid-19 tests for travellers arriving in the UK. Testing is mandatory for all arrivals into the UK, with two RT-PCR tests required. The first of these tests, the Day 2 test, can be taken at Boots as soon as you arrive at the airport, but you must pre-book. The second test, the Day 8 test, must be carried out by the same provider.

Boots is not the only testing provider at UK airports. Collinson also offers the mandatory Covid-19 tests, with a drive-through facility in the APH long-stay car park on Copthorne Road. Travellers should schedule a test 48-72 hours prior to their departure time. Those who screen negative will be emailed a “Fit to Fly” certificate authorised by a doctor, as well as their test result.

Other testing facilities are available at the airport's Hilton and Sofitel hotels, which offer "Test and Rest" packages that include PCR self-testing.

Testing at airports has been criticised by some, including ACI World senior vice president of international relations and corporate secretary Michael Rossell, who has said that "testing at airports is not practicable nor desirable". He cites the capacity challenges of confining people in a small space for testing, as well as the epidemiological problem of potentially putting a group of people together, some of whom may be positive for Covid-19. Instead, ACI is in favour of a mandatory pre-departure testing system, with a secure way of storing results that can work as a medical certificate for passengers.

Testing at airport hotels

Testing for Covid-19 at airports has been implemented in various ways around the world. Some airports, such as Heathrow, have partnered with private companies to set up drive-through PCR testing facilities. Travellers are advised to book a test 48-72 hours prior to their departure and will receive a "Fit to Fly" certificate if they test negative.

In the UK, Collinson offers mandatory Covid-19 tests for all arrivals, with the first RT-PCR test (Day 2 test) available as soon as travellers arrive at the airport. The second test (Day 8) must be carried out by the same provider. Travellers can also get tested at Boots or take advantage of "Test and Rest" packages offered by airport hotels, such as the Hilton and Sofitel.

New York's John F Kennedy and LaGuardia airports have also set up testing facilities to screen passengers arriving in the city. Governor Andrew Cuomo emphasised the importance of these facilities in maintaining the state's low infection rate by quickly testing incoming travellers.

However, not everyone agrees that airport testing is the best solution. The ACI World senior vice president of international relations and corporate secretary, Michael Rossell, has expressed concerns about the capacity challenges and epidemiological risks of confining people in a small space for testing. Instead, the ACI advocates for a mandatory pre-departure testing system with secure storage of results that can serve as a medical certificate for passengers.

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