Rapid PCR Tests Coming To 11 United States Airports
Currently, many countries in the world require a negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours of travel. Other countries are calling for visitors to spend time in quarantine while visiting. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues various changes are being made to make travel more convenient, easy and streamlined. Among these changes is the introduction of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Accula rapid PCR tests at 11 major US airports. Plans are to make these tests available to US travelers by May 1.
Rapid PCR tests coming to US airports
In order to streamline US travel, plans are underway to offer rapid Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 tests by May 1 at around 11 US airports. A rapid PCR test is a molecular test that is said to be far more accurate than the current long-standing rapid antigen tests. The rapid tests have the potential to ease the way for travel to Hawaii, along with a number of foreign countries that do not accept antigen test results.
While results of traditional PCR tests take from 24 to 72 hours to come in, the rapid PCR tests have results available in less than an hour. This type of test is already available at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles at a cost of $199.
San Jose, California-based diagnostics company Visby has developed the rapid PCR test. In an April 20 press release, it was reported that the test is accepted by Hawaii and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), along with a number of international destinations.
One-hour results for rapid PCR test
LAWA CEO Just Erbacci said in a press statement that by adding a one-hour rapid PCR test, LAX is once again leading the way in airport innovation and guest service, while providing travelers with access to dependable and accurate rapid-testing solutions that meet their timing needs.
XpresCheck currently has a broader rollout of rapid PCR tests underway in the form of an airport testing brand developed by the airport wellness company XpresSpa to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
This month, XpresCheck deployed the rapid Accula PCR test, produced by Massachusetts-based company Thermo Fisher Scientific at Houston Bush and New York JFK airports. The company has also rolled them out at other XpresCheck locations in Phoenix, Denver, San Francisco, Salt Lake City and Seattle. On top of this, Washington Dulles and Washington Reagan airports will be offering the rapid PCR tests by May 1.
Costing the rapid PCR test
As reported by Travel Weekly, currently, rapid PCR tests cost $225 at JFK airport and $25 at the other locations. So far, tests are accepted by Hawaii’s Trusted Testing Partner program. Results of the rapid tests are promised within 30 minutes.
Travelers heading to the Pittsburgh and Grand Rapid, Michigan airports have access to rapid PCR tests via the Georgia-based provider Tackl Health. Again, results of the rapid PCR tests are available within 30 minutes and the cost of the Tackl rests is $275.
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