Heathrow's rapid Covid test centre ‘could replace quarantine’

[PAXboy]

Travel industry pins hopes for an end to 14-day isolation on new two-stage testing scheme at airport, with results delivered in hours
A new Covid test centre is ready to start rapid testing of inbound passengers arriving at Heathrow airport’s Terminal 2, as soon as the government gives it the go-ahead. Arrivals would find out results within 24 hours of being tested, replacing the need for a 14-day quarantine.

More than 13,000 passenger tests a day can be carried out in the facility, launched by aviation services firm Swissport and the Collinson Group, which runs airport lounges. A second test centre will be ready at Terminal 5 by the end of August, and operators say both centres are scalable according to demand.

The proposed pilot scheme would use a two-test model, which has been used successfully in Iceland: this involves a first test taken at the facility on arrival in the UK, and a confirmatory test a few days later. These are PCR swab tests, used to directly detect antigens, indicating the presence of the virus, rather than tests of the body’s immune response, or antibodies. The optional tests will cost £150 each, but this could be reduced if the scheme was scaled up.
more of the story in The Guardian. (https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/aug/19/heathrow-rapid-covid-test-centre-could-replace-quarantine)

[Paul Lupp]

Pilot scheme??? WHat about first officers, cabin crew and passengers (SLF) ??

[wiggy]

Not sure whether you meant to add a :} , a :uhoh: or a ;)

[N707ZS]

Local new story dogs to be trained to sniff out covid as they believe it must have a unique smell. A request was made for anyone who has had the virus to send a sweaty pair of sock or tee-shirt for dog training. The plan is to deploy the dogs at airports one they get the whiff.

[Alsacienne]

A request was made for anyone who has had the virus to send a sweaty pair of sock or tee-shirt for dog training.

Wouldn't it be a legal offence to send dangerous material through the post in the UK? And might contaminate postal workers on its way?

[PAXboy]

Airport testing reduces rates of infections better than quarantine, data shows

The analysis by The PC Agency shows Greece, Denmark, Iceland, Germany, Cyprus and Singapore all reduced their rates

Reported in the paper, they paywall is down until Monday, due to protest action.
The Daily Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/09/05/exclusive-airport-testing-reduces-rates-infections-better-quarantine/)

Countries that have expanded their airport testing of arriving holidaymakers have seen their national Covid infection rates decline, according to a new analysis.

The data, covering the period from mid-August to this weekend, shows Greece, Denmark, Iceland, Germany, Cyprus and Singapore all reduced their rates after intensifying border testing to allow arrivals to avoid 14-day quarantine.

The disclosure challenges the Government’s contention that testing on arrival is ineffective and only catches seven per cent of cases - an argument deployed by both Boris Johnson and Grant Shapps on Friday.