Two of the UK’s largest travel testing providers Collinson and Randox have joined forces to offer rapid airport PCR tests in a bid to expedite the pre-travel process.
The scheme, which is already available at Collinson’s new park and test facility near Heathrow, uses on-site Randox technology to process tests, which cost £95 each, in under three hours.
It means passengers who require a negative PCR result to fly can book to take the test on their day of departure and have their result in time for check-in, rather than needing to arrange for a test days in advance.
The new technology will also be launched at Collinson’s drive-through facility near Gatwick in the next few weeks.
Dr. Simon Worrell, global medical director for Collinson, described the new tests as a “complete game changer” for potential travellers.
"The new, rapid PCR tests we are announcing with Randox today really are the most sophisticated tests on the market," he added. "No longer do travellers need to take a PCR test three days before travel, and so risk contracting the virus in the interim."