Heathrow Airport Could Soon Offer Medical COVID-19 Tests

Certain international passengers arriving into London’s Heathrow Airport could soon have the option to bypass the country’s 14-day quarantine if they test negative for COVID-19.

According to Lonely Planet, if the UK government gives the project the green light, Heathrow will begin offering medical COVID-19 tests to passengers arriving from countries that are subject to England’s quarantine regulation, such as tourists from the United States, Portugal, China and Brazil.

Passengers arriving at Heathrow from countries not on the quarantine exemption list would be required to go to the airport testing clinic and undergo a COVID-19 swab test, Lonely Planet reports. They would then go straight to their home, or accommodation where they would be under strict instruction to remain indoors (except for essential trips for food) until they receive their test results in approximately 24 hours. If the test comes back negative they will not need to remain in isolation and may continue their trip as planned. However, if the test proves positive for COVID-19, they will need to self-isolate for 14 days.

According to Lonely Planet, passengers will need to cover the cost of the test themselves.