Roberta Aguirre
Manchester Airport has been criticised for its lack of COVID-19 screening, with some passengers claiming that supermarkets are doing a better job at enforcing social distancing. While the airport has implemented measures such as mandatory face coverings and temperature checks, some travellers believe that more could be done to ensure their safety. As of January 2022, the UK government has scrapped pre-departure testing for fully vaccinated travellers entering England, although they are required to take a lateral flow test within the first two days of arrival. COVID-19 testing is available at Manchester Airport through companies such as Randox and Collinson, although it is unclear whether these services are available to all passengers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Covid-19 Testing | Pre-departure tests for travellers to England have been scrapped as of January 2022. Vaccinated travellers no longer need to take a test before travelling, but they must take a PCR test within the first two days of arrival in the UK. |
| Covid-19 Testing at Manchester Airport | Manchester Airport has been criticised for its lack of Covid-19 screening and testing. However, they have implemented measures such as social distancing, mandatory face coverings, and a temperature scanner trial. Random swabbing to test passengers for Covid-19 has also been reported. |
| Covid-19 Testing Partners | Collinson and ExpressTest are Covid-19 testing partners offering rapid services and lateral flow kits at UK airports, including Manchester Airport. |
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What You'll Learn
Manchester Airport's lack of Covid screening
Manchester Airport has been criticised for its lack of Covid screening, particularly in the early months of the pandemic.
In April 2020, passengers expressed concern about the absence of coronavirus testing at the airport, as Covid-19 deaths in the UK rose to around 20,000. While some airports in the Middle East and parts of Africa were implementing strict measures, including temperature checks and nasal tests, Manchester Airport had no such screening in place. This prompted criticism from travellers, who felt the airport was not doing enough to ensure their safety.
One passenger, Royce Leonard, an engineer in the offshore petroleum industry, shared his experience of returning from work in Holland. He confirmed that he was not screened at Schiphol Airport or upon landing in Manchester. Leonard, who travels frequently for work, noted that he was rarely screened anywhere, and praised Singapore's approach, where thermal cameras are used to detect passengers with elevated temperatures.
Despite calls for mass screening, antibody tests, and "health passports," Manchester Airport officials were reluctant to engage in the controversy. The UK government maintained that such testing was unreliable, and the airport's priority was to provide travellers with information about symptoms and the established NHS and PHE response plan.
By July 2020, Manchester Airport had implemented social distancing measures, mandatory face coverings, and a temperature scanner trial. However, passengers still expressed disappointment with the airport's organisation and lack of enforcement of social distancing rules.
As the pandemic evolved, testing requirements for travel to and from the UK have changed. In January 2022, the UK government announced the easing of testing rules, scrapping pre-departure tests for fully vaccinated travellers entering England. However, testing services are available at Manchester Airport through companies like Randox, Collinson, and ExpressTest, offering at-airport and at-home testing options.
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Covid testing requirements for travellers to England
As of 2025, there are currently no COVID-19 testing restrictions for travellers entering England. However, it is recommended that those with COVID-19 avoid travelling to reduce the spread of the virus. Travellers who suspect they have COVID-19 while in England can purchase test kits from shops.
Previously, in 2021, there were COVID-19 testing requirements for travellers arriving in England. Arrivals from countries on the Red List were only permitted to enter England if they were UK/Irish nationals or UK residents. These travellers were required to pre-book and stay in a government-managed quarantine hotel, take two PCR COVID-19 tests on days 2 and 8 of their 10-day quarantine, and fill out a Passenger Locator Form prior to travel. If travellers received a positive result on their day 2 test, their quarantine stay would be extended to 12 days, and if they received a positive result on their day 8 test, their stay would be extended to 18 days.
In 2020, Manchester Airport implemented measures to ensure the safety of passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including mandatory face coverings and a temperature scanner trial. However, some passengers expressed disappointment with the airport's organisation and lack of social distancing.
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Random swab testing at Manchester Airport
Random swab testing for Covid-19 was implemented at Manchester Airport in July 2020. This was in addition to other safety measures such as social distancing markers, mandatory face coverings, and temperature checks. However, reports from passengers at the time suggest that the airport could have been better organised to ensure effective social distancing.
Despite these measures, there has been criticism of the lack of Covid screening at Manchester Airport, particularly in comparison to airports in other countries. For example, in April 2020, passengers arriving from Amsterdam reported that there was no screening at Manchester Airport. Similarly, an offshore engineer who frequently travels for work stated that he is "rarely screened anywhere", including at Manchester Airport.
In defence of the lack of screening, the UK government has claimed that Covid tests are unreliable. However, this claim is disputed by the fact that such tests are used in parts of the world with far fewer Covid-related deaths, such as in Africa, the Middle East, Uganda, and Singapore. As a result, some airports, including Heathrow, have called for the introduction of routine temperature checks, antibody tests, and "health passports".
As of January 2022, the rules regarding Covid testing for travellers to England have been eased, with pre-departure tests no longer required for fully vaccinated travellers. Instead, vaccinated travellers are only required to take a lateral flow test within the first two days of their arrival. These changes have been made in response to calls from the travel industry, as the previous measures were deemed ineffective in preventing the spread of the Omicron variant.
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Passenger safety measures at Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport has implemented several measures to ensure passenger safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the airport did not initially conduct COVID-19 screening or testing, it has since introduced various safety protocols.
One of the key measures introduced at Manchester Airport is social distancing. Passengers and staff are required to maintain a safe distance from one another, and there are two-metre markings throughout the airport, including at the bag collection point and passport control. However, some passengers have expressed disappointment with the airport's implementation of social distancing, claiming that blocked-off areas made it challenging to maintain the required distance.
In addition to social distancing, Manchester Airport has made face coverings mandatory for all individuals within the airport. This measure is aimed at reducing the spread of the virus by ensuring that everyone covers their mouth and nose, which are the primary sources of transmission.
The airport has also introduced a temperature scanning trial, following in the steps of some airports in the Middle East, Uganda, and Singapore, which have implemented temperature checks and nasal tests for arriving passengers. While the effectiveness of temperature screening has been debated, with the Heathrow Airport boss demanding its routine implementation, Manchester Airport officials have been reluctant to engage in the controversy.
Furthermore, Manchester Airport has taken steps to provide passengers with essential information regarding COVID-19. They aim to ensure that travellers are aware of the symptoms and know what to do if they develop any symptoms, following the established plan by the NHS and Public Health England for responding to individuals who are unwell.
Additionally, random swabbing has been conducted at the airport to test passengers for COVID-19. This measure provides an additional layer of safety by identifying potentially infected individuals.
While Manchester Airport has implemented these safety measures, it is important to note that the landscape of travel restrictions and testing requirements is constantly evolving. As of January 2022, the UK government announced the easing of testing rules for travellers to England, removing the requirement for pre-departure tests for fully vaccinated individuals. However, travellers are still advised to stay updated with the latest guidelines as policies can change rapidly.
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Covid testing at Manchester Airport by Collinson
Manchester Airport has launched a new Covid-19 testing facility in partnership with travel medical provider Collinson. The facility is located just outside the main terminal building and offers a full range of tests, including RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, Rapid Antigen, and Antibody tests. Collinson's airport testing prices start at £40 for Antibody tests, £50 for Antigen tests, £79 for RT-LAMP tests, and £99 for RT-PCR tests. Results and certificates are typically provided within 2 hours when tests are submitted between 8 am and 8 pm.
The introduction of this testing facility is part of an initiative by the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) to provide maximum flexibility to passengers travelling through Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands Airports. MAG has also partnered with Boots to offer a 5% discount on in-store RT-PCR testing, available at over 50 stores across the UK. This service is specifically for customers who do not suspect they have Covid-19 and provides results within 48 hours.
The Covid-19 testing facility at Manchester Airport addresses the concerns of passengers regarding the lack of screening at the airport. Prior to the introduction of this facility, there were criticisms about the absence of coronavirus testing for people entering the country, despite such measures being implemented in other parts of the world with lower Covid-19 death rates.
The testing facility is designed to make travel easier and provide passengers with the convenience of choosing the right test for their destination. It allows passengers to opt for testing on the day of departure before proceeding through security, or they can schedule an appointment in advance at a time that suits their schedule.
In addition to the Collinson testing facility, Manchester Airport has implemented other measures to ensure the safety of passengers during the pandemic. These include mandatory face coverings, social distancing protocols, and a temperature scanner trial.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Covid testing is not mandatory at Manchester Airport. However, random swabbing to test passengers for Covid-19 has been reported.
Face coverings are mandatory, and the airport has introduced a temperature scanner trial. There are also two-metre markings everywhere, including at the bag collection point and in passport control.
Collinson provides rapid Covid testing services at UK airports, including Manchester Airport.
