From News Nation:
“United Airlines is first to
offer rapid COVID-19 tests to passengers”
United Airlines announced
Thursday it will offer passengers on certain flights a rapid COVID-19 test
prior to their flight. Beginning Oct. 15 customers traveling on United from San
Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Hawaii will have the option to take a
rapid test at the airport. Passengers will also have the option to do a
self-collected, mail-in test ahead of their trip. The COVID-19 pilot testing
program was designed to make it easier for travelers to “manage quarantine
requirements and entry conditions of popular destinations around the world. “Our new COVID testing program is another way
we are helping customers meet their destinations’ entry requirements, safely
and conveniently,” said Toby Enqvist, Chief Customer Officer at United. “We’ll
look to quickly expand customer testing to other destinations and U.S. airports
later this year to complement our state-of-the-art cleaning and safety measures
that include a mandatory mask policy, antimicrobial and electrostatic spraying
and our hospital-grade HEPA air filtration systems.” The rapid Abbott ID NOW
COVID-19 test is administered by GoHealth Urgent Care and their partner Dignity
Health to provide results in 15 minutes. GoHealth Urgent Care’s dedicated
COVID-19 testing area will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT daily. The
mail-in test option will be administered by Color and it is recommended that
customers begin testing at least 10 days prior to their trip and provide their
sample within 72 hours of their trip. The airline worked closely with Hawaii
officials to ensure that any United customer, both visitors and Hawaiian
residents returning home, who tests negative on either test would not be
subjected to the state’s current 14-day quarantine requirement. The carrier
plans to increase service to Hawaii on Oct. 15, including the resumption of
service between San Francisco and Lihue (LIH) and additional flights between
San Francisco and Maui and Kona.
^ This is an interesting way to
encourage people to travel without needing to quarantine for 14 days. ^
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