Rapid COVID-19 tests begin at Europe’s busiest airport for passengers flying from London Heathrow to Hong Kong and Italy. This test is quicker than the PCR test.
This rapid test costs around $100 and the result will be available within an hour. This test will be available on Tuesday. Passengers flying to Hong Kong will be the first to get this testing.
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Cathay Pacific will be the first airline to offer this rapid test to its customers.
Collinson and Swissport will run this rapid-testing at Heathrow airport. Collinson is a medical and security assistance firm whereas Swissport is the ground and cargo handling company.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of the aviation trade body Airlines UK said:
“For business passengers, 80 pounds is probably quite competitive but we’ve certainly said to the government in terms of introducing a test on arrival in the UK anything from 50-60 pounds would be better.”
This rapid test is known as a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (Lamp) test. A throat and nose swab will be taken to test for Covid-19. This Lamp test is quicker than the PCR test.
