Since the start of the pandemic, “quarantine” or “self-isolation” are terms we’ve all become familiar with. Terms we would have never uttered in our pre-COVID lives. Terms that have now become integral to any discussion around travel.
A lot of countries have some degree of restrictions on international visitors, the most common of which is 14-day quarantine. This makes travel impractical
To restore faith in air travel and aide a return to international travel, the development of a reliable, cost-effective rapid antigen testing has been called for by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
What is Rapid Testing?
Rapid testing is an antigen test via swab, that returns results within 15-30 minutes. This test looks for the virus proteins instead of its nucleic acids that the gold-standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests look for. The bonus of a rapid test for travel is that it can be done without a laboratory. In comparison, a PCR test requires a lab and takes 5+ hours to process.
Although less reliable than the PCR test, the rapid test makes for a good alternative to 14-day quarantine either side of your trip.
Rapid Testing at Irish Airports
Since the start of the pandemic, numerous politicians have been critical of the lack of testing or simple temperature screening at our airports. Ryanair has also been outspoken against the 14-day quarantine and has threatened to close regional bases for winter if the current quarantine rules remain.
The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), which runs both Dublin and Cork airports, is exploring different options for pre-departure COVID-19 testing that would see the need for the 14-day quarantine eliminated. Ireland West Airport Knock is also in talks with the Government to introduce pre-departure COVID-19 testing.
This testing would be in line with any new pan-European travel rules, restrictions and guidelines that the European Union will introduce this month.
COVID-Free Flights in Rome
At Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, the Italian airline, Alitalia, has begun a trial of twice daily “COVID-free” flights to Milan. Using nasal swabs that return results within 30-minutes, all passengers on a flight are tested free-of-charge.
If they test negative, they can board the flight, but will still be required to wear face masks. If they test positive, will not be allowed to travel. They’ll have an additional traditional swab test and receive a voucher for a future flight.
If this trial is successful, it could be rolled out on other routes and in other airports in Italy and across Europe.
Helsinki’s COVID Sniffer Dogs
At Finland’s Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, there’s currently a trial using dogs to sniff out COVID-19. Using 15 dogs, it’s believed they can detect the virus up to five days before any symptoms show.
Here, passengers will be tested after collecting their luggage. Passengers will be asked to dab their skin with a wipe. This will then be placed in a beaker beside others with different scents. The dogs will then sniff the beakers and, if they detect the virus, they’ll bark, paw or lie down. The passenger will then take a free PCR test with a nasal swab to confirm the dog’s verdict.
It’s believed that the dogs are able to detect a difference in the sweat odour of COVID-positive people. So far, the dogs have been able to detect COVID-19 with almost 100% accuracy. A similar trial is also in progress in Dubai.
The role pre-departure airport testing will have in travel’s future will soon be clear. The European Union’s traffic light system for restarting international travel amongst member states and Ireland’s own plan for international travel are due to be finalised on the 13th of October.
