Airport staff take part in Covid testing trials

HEATHROW staff have taken part in trials of three rapid point of care Covid testing methods as part of the airport’s efforts to restart flying.

The findings will be shared with the UK Government as Ministers consider how testing could provide a safe alternative to the blanket quarantine for 'high risk' destinations.

The trials are in addition to a Terminal 2 centre unveiled last month in partnership with Swissport and Collinson ready for a pilot of PCR testing on arrival, which was awaiting Government approval.

Heathrow CEO John Holland-kaye said: “Testing is the lifeline that the UK’S aviation sector needs to get back on its feet. We’ve put some of the most cutting-edge rapid testing technologies into action at Heathrow to see which offers the best solution.

"If we can find a test that is accurate, gets a result within a matter of minutes, is cost-effective and gets the Government green light, we could have the potential to introduce wide-scale testing at the airport. Without this, our first class aviation sector risks becoming second class, giving Britain's competitive advantage to others.”