Coronavirus screening centre opens at Edinburgh Airport

A coronavirus screening centre – where people can receive rapid swab tests – has opened at Edinburgh Airport.

The Express Test site, located in front of the terminal in the Fast Park area of the car park, is available to passengers, staff and members of the public.

Results will be emailed or texted to users the next day, however, airline passengers have been advised to schedule a test between 48 and 96 hours before departure.

Those who return negative results will be emailed a fit to fly certificate, along with their test result.

There is currently a ban on travel in and out of level three and four areas, while movement is not permitted between Scotland and the rest of UK.

The First Minister also advised against unnecessary travel overseas last week.

However, during a five-day period, between December 23 and 27, people will be allowed to travel between council areas and across the UK to form a bubble of up to three households at Christmas.

Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said the screening project has been launched so aviation will be a “facilitator industry” in Scotland’s recovery from Covid.

He 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 Express Test 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.”

Passengers and staff will be charged a fee of £80 and £60 for the service, while it will be available to the general public for £99.

Nick Markham, founder of Express Test 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 Express Test is to provide reassurance to people that they are Covid-free, whether that’s when they are travelling or visiting friends and family.”