Tampa International Airport (TPA) has announced they will offer pre-flight COVID-19 testing at their terminal for all passengers. They’ll be the first airport in the United States to offer such a service.
The airport is partnering with BayCare Health System, a leading health care system in the Tampa Bay and central Florida area, to offer on-the-spot testing inside the main terminal. The tests will be voluntary and available to passengers who are departing, or who have arrived.
Two different tests will be offered:
- The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test (a.k.a. “swab test”), which is 95% accurate in predicting illness. This test will cost $125 and the results should be back within 48 hours.
- A rapid antigen test, which has an 88% accuracy rate. The costs will be $57 and results should be back in about 15 minutes.
All testing will be done at the passengers’ expense.
Airport officials said passengers will be encouraged to take the swab three days before departure. Those who are departing, if tested positive for the virus, will be instructed not to board. If people are tested upon landing and are found to be positive, the airport says those on their flight will be notified of the exposure.
The testing will be offered as a pilot program throughout October and, if successful, will continue and expand.
“We gotta try to get out of this hole. Anything we can do to get out of this hole safely is what we should do,” said Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano.
Feature Photo: TPA
#stayhealthy #staysafe #washyourhands #wearamask
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
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