With Test to Release being a thing (even if travel to destinations outside the UK is more restricted than not currently), Luton Airport is working with Collinson International Limited to develop a testing centre.
The testing centre will be a drive-through screening facility at the airport. The service provides a variety of tests for travellers arriving to and departing from the UK,
The site will offer several tests, including:
- RT-PCR (Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) – £99
- LAMP (Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification) – £79
- Antigen – £50
- Antibody – £40
Collision explains the differences in the types of tests here. Depending on the requirement of a country or a testing protocol, you will need to ensure that you select the right test.
As things are more than a little manic due to the new strain of COVID-19, countries and airlines in a lot of cases are demanding negative COVID-19 tests before boarding the aircraft and entering the country. Use the FCDO advice page or follow our tracker on changes to entry protocols.
The testing is to support the travelling public. As such, they’re not meant to be used as a primary diagnosis if you have COVID-19 or not. For those circumstances, use the NHS testing facilities via https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
Supporting Test to Release
Before things went nuts, Test to Release went live – allowing you to cut the mandatory quarantine time from ten days down to just over five days.
Some airlines and travel destinations require proof of a negative COVID-19 test ahead of travel. Please check with your airline and the FCDO for the latest guidance before booking a test. Under the scheme, you can choose to pay for a private COVID-19 test at least 5 days after you left a destination not on the travel corridor list. If the test result is negative, you can then stop self-isolating.
As usual, ensure that you check the latest UK Government guidance before booking a test and have completed all appropriate paperwork.
Booking tests
If you need to book, head to https://www.collinsongroup.com/en/covid-19-testing. Note, capacity is limited – with the testers noting
We are currently experiencing extremely high demand for pre departure LAMP tests. We continue our best endeavours to deliver test results within our estimated 90 minute timeframe however, where possible we strongly recommend that passengers book a test the day prior to travelling to prevent any unavoidable delay.
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