GATWICK Airport is launching rapid coronavirus testing for all passengers from November 30.
Travellers can pay £60 to get the fast swab test – with group discounts offered as well.
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The airport explains: “We are pleased to announce the launch of a COVID19 screening centre located in the South Terminal Long Stay Car Park. Run by ExpressTest it will offer a fast and accurate PCR swab test and is available for both passengers, employees and the general public from 30 November.
“If you are flying from or are based at Gatwick Airport you can get a test for £60, and it will also be available for the general public at £99. A group discount is also available..”
Appointments open from November 27, with passengers warned to give between 48 and 96 hours notice before travelling.
A number of destinations now require negative coronavirus tests to be able to enter, which includes Greece, Italy and the Canary Islands.
The airport added: “The facility is for air passengers who may require a valid, negative COVID19 test certificate for destinations requiring one from up to 96 hours before travel, but you must check with your travel provider that the test meets the specific requirements of your destination.”
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Which countries require a negative coronavirus test to enter?
- Greece
- Spain (from November 23)
- Cyprus
- Italy
- Azores & Madeira
- Dubai
- Barbados
- Maldives
It is great news for holidaymakers, as negative coronavirus tests for holiday purposes cannot be done on the NHS.
Instead, they can cost between £100 and £200 per person, with some families claiming their results didn’t arrive in time.
ExpressTest, who will offer the tests, claim the results will arrive the next day.
ExpressTest Founder Nick Markham says: “We are delighted to be Gatwick airport’s official screening partner. We launched ExpressTest to give people peace of mind, whether that’s enabling travel through our Fit to Fly certificates, or providing the reassurance needed to safely visit friends and family abroad or within the UK.”
Other airports are trialling testing services, with the UK government expecting to reduce the quarantine restrictions from 14 days to seven.
British Airways is launching a transatlantic Covid-19 testing trial in a bid to persuade the government to drop its 14-day quarantine rules.
Passengers on selected flights from New York, Los Angeles and Dallas Fort Worth to London Heathrow will be offered the chance to take part in the trial which will see them take three tests.
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Holidaymakers will be able to get a coronavirus test before their holiday when staying at a hotel at Heathrow, thanks to a new scheme.
The package deal will initially be launched at the Sofitel London Heathrow hotel at Terminal 5, and cost £179 for the test and overnight stay.
Heathrow Airport is also offering one-hour Covid tests, depending on where you are flying to – here is how to get one.
