An agreement between Aerostar and the laboratory company CMT Group Corp. makes it possible to establish a series of test collection centers for COVID-19 at Luis Muñoz Marín airport from 1 February. This allows passengers entering and exiting the island to comply with regulations mandated by the government of Puerto Rico and other jurisdictions, Jorge Hernández, CEO of Aerostar Puerto Rico, the airport operator, reports today.
“The trend in different destinations is that negative tests are needed to enable quarantine-free access for travelers. The aviation industry is promoting requiring its travelers to test negative for COVID-19 before boarding the aircraft. For this reason, we are preparing to provide passengers with an additional alternative to the service of rapid antigens and molecular testing at the same airport with results in less than 48 hours for both those arriving and those departing. From Puerto Rico, ”said Aerostar Puerto Rico CEO.
He explained that they will be established three centers of collection testing for COVID-19 by the experienced laboratory company CMT Group Corp. The first two will operate in terminals A and C. The third will be opened in a second phase. In this way, travelers will initially have two facilities on board a short distance from their points. These work seven days a week from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm. Ultimately, the service could be expanded to 24 hours a day.
Evidence-gathering centers are under development and it is estimated that they could start in February. The result of the molecular tests would be available in a maximum period of 24 to 48 hours, depending on the time it is run, and the antigen tests in about 30 minutes to an hour.
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“COVID-10 will last longer in our lives and we need to resume operations responsibly and safely. Facilitating intake access and fast test result is an important step. In this way we can contribute to stimulating the flow of visitors, including to our families in the diaspora, thereby reducing the risk of contamination on the island, ”adds Hernández.
“Entering into this alliance with the airport fulfills two objectives. On the one hand, we provide an alternative for visitors to present a negative test as soon as they arrive in Puerto Rico to reduce the possible contamination. In addition, we are strengthening the economic development, because facilitating access to the test and delivering a result in a short time becomes an additional attraction for the visitor, ”says Dr. Otegbola Ojo, CEO of CMT Group Corp., clinical laboratory and occupational health specialists.
The cost of the test is $ 110. The person can request reimbursement from their insurance company, if it would cover the test in Puerto Rico.
The laboratory company is developing a digital platform that is accessible to passengers prior to their arrival in Puerto Rico. This generates a code (QR code) with which the visitor can receive his test results and fill in the necessary forms to comply with government regulations. In addition, you will find all kinds of information about the destination via the same site.
As part of the current Executive Order, issued by the government, all visitors must arrive within 72 hours of entry with a negative test already taken. Otherwise, you must agree to have it done in a local lab and, until you get the result, you must remain in quarantine. If you choose not to have the test, you must undergo a 14-day quarantine. With this initiative, those who have not taken the test before arriving can take it on arrival at the same airport as soon as the test centers start their operations. Likewise, travelers leaving Puerto Rico en route to other cities can take the test, either prior to their departure at some of the seven CMT Group Corp. facilities around the island or before boarding the aircraft, at one of the centers provided soon in the airport terminals.
CMT Group Corp. has 40 years of experience in the laboratory and occupational health industry. It has a network consisting of eight evidence-gathering centers located around the island and a reference laboratory. Likewise, it provides direct services to hundreds of private customers and their employees.