Emirates has become the first airline to conduct on-site rapid COVID-19 tests for passengers departing from Dubai Airport. The initial round of blood tests, which were all conducted by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) on passengers travelling to Tunisia on an Emirates flight on 15 April, were all carried out at the Group check-in area of Dubai Airport’s Terminal 3. The results were available in 10 minutes.
According to Adel Al Redha, Emirates COO, the initial testing process went smoothly thanks fo the support of DHA and Dubai Airport. “We are working on plans to scale up testing capabilities in the future and extend it to other flights, this will enable us to conduct on-site tests and provide immediate confirmation for Emirates passengers travelling to countries that require COVID-19 test certificates. The health and safety of staff and passengers at the airport remain of paramount importance,” said Al Redha.
The Middle Eastern carrier has also adapted its check-in and boarding facilities at the airport to accommodate social distancing. Protective barriers have been installed at each check-in desk and gloves, masks and hand sanitisers are mandatory for all employees at the airport.
In addition, passengers are also required to wear their own masks when at the airport and on board the aircraft and follow social distancing guidelines. All Emirates aircraft will go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes in Dubai, after each journey.
Commenting on the successful implementation of rapid COVID-19 testing at the airport for departing passengers, HE Huaid Al Qutami, Director-General, DHA, said: “To tackle COVID-19, we have been proactively working with various governmental organisations and the private health sector and we have implemented all necessary measures from public health protection to provision high-quality health services in line with the latest international guidelines. We believe strongly that the most effective solutions require close partnerships with other public and private sector organisations.”
