Manchester Airport unveils new facility as part of UK’s largest airport testing scheme to help get Britain flying again

Manchester Airport Testing Centre

A new Covid-19 testing facility - offering a full range of tests - has been launched at Manchester Airport.

The tests - RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, Rapid Antigen and Antibody - will be available to all passengers in a new, purpose-built facility just outside of the main terminal building. They will be delivered in partnership with airport services and travel medical provider, Collinson.

Certain governments allow pre-departure tests in order to shorten or completely alleviate quarantine requirements in the destination country, whereas others require them in order to gain entry. 

Having a full range of tests available at the airport – for any passenger planning to fly who does not suspect they have Covid-19 - will let passengers choose whichever process they need to meet the pre-departure testing requirements of many airports.

The service will cater for both outbound and inbound testing, and adapt as government travel requirements change. Its online booking portal will allow passengers to choose the correct test and testing location for their specific requirements – whether at the dedicated airport facilities or elsewhere.

Passengers will also be able to book the tests they need to shorten their self-isolation period upon return under the UK Government’s ‘Test to Release’ scheme.

The scheme, announced last week, will launch on 15 December and allow travellers arriving from higher risk countries to reduce their period of quarantine by taking a test five days after they arrive in the UK.

‘Test to Release’ follows in the footsteps of a number of countries who are already offering quarantine-free inbound travel to those able to provide evidence of a negative test.

Boots offers an in-store RT-PCR Covid-19 testing service, which returns results within 48 hours from more than 50 stores across the UK, specifically for customers who do not suspect they have Covid-19. Manchester Airport passengers will be able to access a 5% discount, which customers can access through the airport’s website.

Airport testing prices through Collinson start at £40 for Antibody tests, £50 for Antigen tests, £79 for RT-LAMP tests and £99 for RT-PCR tests.

However, if you’d rather have peace of mind sooner rather than later, you don’t need to wait until you get to the airport to test before you travel.

CovidSmart, an approved testing centre based in Heywood, offers PCR and Antigen tests with same day and next day results available from £60.

More information is available via: https://covidsmart.co.uk