The Irish government have repeatedly referred to PCR testing as the ‘gold standard’ for detecting COVID-19. But, in order to open up the economy and the skies, is this the best option? 

Michael Collins, founder and managing director of TravelMedia.ie, recently embarked on a three-day trip to three airports around Europe. The purpose of his travels? To see how airports in Europe deal with incoming passengers. 

Before he left Ireland, he took both a private PCR test and an antigen test, which came back negative. 

Which European airports did Michael travel through?

Having travelled extensively since Europe began to re-open its borders in the summer, Michael has an excellent sense of how countries around Europe are handling international travel. On this particular trip, he travelled through Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, Vienna Airport and Hamburg Airport. 

What I’ve noticed is that when I’m in Europe, flights are full or nearly full and everyone’s wearing masks. But when I’m flying into Ireland it’s the opposite. I’m on flights with just 15, 20 or 30 people on it. We’re completely out of step and the reason for it is that we’re in a bubble. The Irish politicians, civil servants, NPHET, etc, they’re not aware of what’s going on in the rest of Europe.”

Michael Collins, TravelMedia.ie

What about PCR testing?

PCR testing requires a 24-48hr turn around time and can cost between €99-€199 for a single test. On return to Ireland from abroad, this is the only accepted test to reduce your quarantine time if returning from an orange or red country. Rapid antigen testing, on the other hand, offers results in less than 30mins and costs between €25-€80. This type of test is what the Irish travel industry (and Michael!) see as the saviour of aviation and tourism. 

“One downside to the PCR test is that you have to get it in advance of travel and what happens in the meantime? What are you doing, who are you with, could you pick up the virus before you get on a flight? If you have a rapid antigen test at the airport, it’s a live result accurate to that moment in time so it’s more advantageous than PCR.”

Michael Collins, TravelMedia.ie

Michael received a certificate after his antigen test, which stated the test was 93% accurate. A PCR test, in comparison, was between 97-98% accurate. He believes the small difference isn’t worth slowing down our economic recovery. 

What are airports across Europe doing?

We recently wrote about pre-departure rapid antigen testing at international airports. From the initial COVID-free flights in Rome to virus-sniffing dogs in Helsinki, airports and airlines around Europe have been doing what they can to help travel restart. 

In Germany, antigen tests for departing passengers are only free for those living in Germany. When Michael passed through Hamburg airport, he had to pay for his rapid antigen test which was €79. Whereas in Paris and Vienna, the tests were free for departing passengers. 

“The German government is sponsoring all rapid antigen tests for all German people returning from a high-risk zone. I don’t think they’d do it if they felt the test wasn’t accurate.”

Michael Collins, TravelMedia.ie

In airports where the rapid antigen tests are becoming part of the airport routine, it’s a seamless, well thought-out process. While the test gives a high indication of whether or not you’ve contracted COVID-19, it is still essential to abide by public health guidelines of mask wearing, hand washing and physical distancing. 

“When you go to check-in for a Covid-free flight, the machine tells you that you need a Covid test first. You get your boarding pass and luggage tag, but you can’t drop off your bag or go through security or passport control. You go around the corner to the test area where they scan your boarding pass, that links it to your test ID, you get a throat swab, and the results were texted to me within half an hour. Then I was able to go through security because the boarding pass showed that I had a negative result.”

Michael Collins, TravelMedia.ie

What should the Irish Government be doing?

While PCR testing should remain the main testing method across the island, rapid antigen testing provides an excellent and highly accurate way to screen for COVID-19. By using this cheaper test with a quick-turnaround, aspects of life can return such as weddings, conferences and, of course, travel. 

In terms of travel, the government have been consistently advising against non-essential travel abroad, even with the introduction of the traffic light system. 

“It is problematic and even the language used by the Government is wrong. Instead of ‘testing’ we should be using the word ‘screening’, as we should be screening people who arrive into the country. People in this industry who have travelled extensively are afraid to travel because of the language being used and the fact that we’re living in a bubble. I’d be the same if I hadn’t travelled so much recently and seen that the rest of the world is getting on with life and getting on with business.”

Michael Collins, TravelMedia.ie

In Michael’s opinion, the Christmas period would be the ideal time to test rapid antigen testing at Irish airports as over 50,000 people will be travelling. For the margin of error rapid antigen testing has versus PCR testing, it seems overly cautious of the government to completely dismiss it. In November, the European Commission recommended the use of rapid antigen tests stating, 

“To increase EU coordination on testing methods, we are today providing guidance to the Member States on the use of rapid antigen test to better manage COVID-19 outbreaks. Being efficient on testing also requires having the necessary resources, which is why we are also today stepping up our support to increase Member States testing capacity. Support and solidarity are key to overcome this pandemic.”