Teesside International Airport has launched a coronavirus testing service to give passengers peace of mind and potentially reduce the need for self-isolation after travelling abroad.
To deliver the testing facility, the airport has partnered with Recovery4Life, a local specialist testing, training and treatment service, that supports businesses and individuals with COVID-19 testing. It will be the most competitively priced airport testing site in the North East and Yorkshire, with tests starting at ?42, and further discounts for passengers.
The new testing facility can be booked online, during the airport?s usual opening hours. Passengers can arrive at the airport, go to the clearly indicated test site, where they will be tested by a clinician and the results will be emailed to them.
At present four tests are available to detect the presence of the COVID-19 virus; a rapid test to detect infectious virus fragments; a rapid test for antibodies generated after exposure to coronavirus, and a combination rapid test. Rapid test results will be sent an hour after testing. The lab-based COVID-19 detection test results are carried out privately, so it won't be impacting the NHS capacity, and will come 24 to 48 hours after testing.
Government guidelines currently require people to self-isolate for ten days after returning from destinations not currently on its approved travel corridor list. However, the new 'Test to Release' scheme will allow people to end their self-isolation, if they take a test after five days of returning to the UK and it comes back negative.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: ?Since the coronavirus pandemic began, we have made it clear that the health and wellbeing of local people has been the airport?s top priority. We have suspended flights when necessary and extra safety measures were brought in at Teesside International to protect passengers and staff."
?This testing offer is another step to keeping people across our region safe, and to make sure that people have access to the tests they need to meet the government?s requirements in reducing self-isolation. It means that people can be confident of getting back to work sooner or meeting loved ones without risk, albeit while observing the latest guidance."
The Mayor added, ?As we begin work to reintroduce our full schedule of flights, including our services to Heathrow and Schiphol once again providing worldwide connectivity, passengers need every confidence they are fit and well when travelling to and from the region. I?m pleased to be working with Recovery4Life so that local people flying form our airport can get the peace of mind they need.?
John Devitt, CEO of Recovery4Life said: ?We are delighted to partner with Teesside International Airport. We see this as a significant initiative in the fight against Covid-19 and help the Tees Valley and wider North East get back on their feet."
?The airport will provide a central hub for passengers and businesses across the region, and we?re thrilled to be getting up and running to offer instant testing for those who would like it," he added.
For more information visit www.teessidecovidtesting.com
