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United is the First US Airline To Offer COVID-19 Testing At Airport
United Airlines has become the first U.S. carrier to offer customers coronavirus tests as a part of a pilot testing program for travelers that could make it easier for them to manage quarantine requirements and entry conditions for destinations worldwide.
Starting Oct. 15, United customers traveling between San Francisco and Hawaii will have the option of taking a coronavirus test before their flight. If passengers test negative, passengers can skip Hawaii’s mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement.
“Our new COVID testing program is another way we are helping customers meet their destinations’ entry requirements, safely and conveniently,” Toby Enqvist, United’s chief customer officer said in a news release announcing the program. “We’ll look to quickly expand customer testing to other destinations and U.S. airports later this year to complement our state-of-the-art cleaning and safety measures that include a mandatory mask policy, antimicrobial and electrostatic spraying and our hospital-grade HEPA air filtration systems.”
United customers will have the option of taking either a rapid test at the airport or a self-collected mail-in test before their departure and will be responsible for paying the cost of the test. The rapid test, with results available in about 15 minutes will cost $250 and the mail-in test $80.
Color will administer the mail-in test option, and it is recommended that passengers initiate testing at least 10 days before their trip and provide their sample within 72 hours of their trip.