Public can now pay for coronavirus test at Edinburgh Airport

A new coronavirus screening centre has opened at Edinburgh Airport today, allowing passengers, staff, and the public to pay for tests.

Bosses at ExpressTest say that the new centre aims to give customers fast and accurate PCR swab tests, with results coming as early as the following day.

The ExpressTest site, in front of the terminal in the FastPark area of the car park, will charge passengers and staff the airport a subsidised rate of £80 and £60 respectively, to use the screening service, whilst it will also be available for the general public for a charge of £99.

Test results will then be emailed or texted to customers typically the next day, with airline passengers advised to schedule a test 48-96 hours prior to their departure time, as a precaution.

The site will offer staff, passengers, and the public tests, for varying prices.

Those who screen negative will be emailed a Fit to Fly certificate that is authorised by a doctor, along with their test result, however passengers are encouraged to check with their travel provider as to whether this document is accepted before booking the screening service.

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said: “Protecting and mitigating risk to public health and providing reassurance and confidence to people who need and want to travel is incredibly important if aviation and all of the industries that rely on it are to recover.

"We have acted with ExpressTest to ensure we are in as strong a position as possible to allow aviation as a facilitator industry to drive Scotland’s recovery.

“Until then, people must continue to adhere to local regulations and ensure they understand and follow government guidance to protect themselves and others.”

Nick Markham, Founder of ExpressTest said: “It’s hugely exciting to have teamed up with Edinburgh Airport to deliver the first public airport screening service in Scotland.

"Our mission at ExpressTest is to provide reassurance to people that they are COVID-free, whether that’s when they are travelling or visiting friends and family.

"The ambition is for us to have 30 locations up and running across the UK in the next few months, and this landmark facility in Edinburgh is just the start.”