TravTalk India Online Magazine
According to a research by UK consultancy The PC Agency, testing passengers has proved to be more effective than a quarantine regime and also helps build traveller confidence. Taking cue from this, airports across the world are introducing this facility to encourage people to fly more while avoiding the mandatory 14-day quarantine for international flights.
Hazel Jain
Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt
This German hub has had a coronavirus testing station for several months now, and the procedure is well established. Different German airports use different systems for testing — in the case of Frankfurt, the process is run by CENTOGENE, and registration is required in advance. It’s only free for those arriving in Germany from a high-risk country or region. Quarantining is required until the results come within 10 hours.
Heathrow Airport, London
COVID-19 tests on passengers at Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom, could start soon. Tests will cost £150 for each passenger. Options include a test on arrival at the airport followed by a second test seven days later, or a scheme where passengers are also tested before they board the plane to London. This will effectively shorten the 14-day quarantine.
Helsinki Airport, Finland
The city of Vantaa believes that the dogs will be an efficient method of ensuring health and safety at airports. According to preliminary tests, dogs are able to smell the virus with almost 100 per cent certainty. They can also identify the virus days before the symptoms show up. If the result is positive, the passenger will be directed to a health information point located at the airport.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
Mumbai airport has launched testing facility for all arriving passengers. It will help international passengers opt out of institutional quarantine if results are negative and remain in a 14-day home quarantine instead. The airport’s testing facility comes for `1,600 as against Delhi airport’s `5,000, and gives reports within eight hours.
Tampa International Airport, Florida
Tampa International is the first airport in the US to offer tests to all passengers flying any airline. Travellers have the option of taking a PCR test that gives results in 48 hours or a rapid antigen test that returns results in 15 minutes. Ticketed passengers who are flying or have flown within three days and can show proof of travel can take a nasal swab test for $125 or an antigen test for $57.
Fiumicino airport, Rome
Italy is aiming to introduce ‘COVID-free’ flights with 30-minute tests for all passengers before they board in an attempt to save the airline industry. Fiumicino airport (also known as Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport) in Rome, which already offers rapid testing to passengers, will become the first European airport to test departing passengers to Milan.
