Drive-through testing at Luton Airport - Here's everything you need to know

Testing will not be available for passengers arriving or embarking from the airport
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A new appointment only drive-through testing centre has opened at London Luton Airport as part of the government’s UK-wide programme to control the spread of coronavirus.

The site is part of a rapidly expanding national network of testing centres, and will operate on an appointment only basis for NHS staff or other essential workers (and members of their households), and people over the age of five with coronavirus symptoms.

Testing will not be available for air passengers arriving or embarking from the airport.

COVID-19 testing site at London Luton Airport (C) LLACOVID-19 testing site at London Luton Airport (C) LLA
COVID-19 testing site at London Luton Airport (C) LLA

The national network is providing thousands more swab tests which can identify if someone has the virus.

This is crucial for NHS frontline staff as it means those who test negative for coronavirus can return to work, while those who test positive can self-isolate until they recover.

The testing site will be operated by military personnel and will be located in an airport carpark, it opened on Monday this week and will be open on Friday, May 22, from 10am to 4pm.

Testing will also be available at the airport the following week.

Anyone eligible for a test has to first arrange an appointment on the national booking website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-coronavirus.

Dr Nicola Smith is Chair of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Clinical Commissioning Groups, who are overseeing the testing programme across the region.

She said: “The setting up of pop-up testing centres has contributed to controlling the spread of COVID-19 locally.

"I would like to thank London Luton Airport and all the other organisations who have assisted us in carrying out this essential work by making their sites available.”

With only a handful of passenger flights operating for those with an essential need to travel, London Luton Airport (LLA) is currently focused on adapting its facilities to assist the national response to the pandemic.

As well as supporting the local testing programme, the airport is continuing to support repatriation, medical and military flights, along with cargo flights delivering vital supplies including personal protective equipment for the NHS.

Alberto Martin, LLA CEO, said: “The desire from our teams and partners to support those in greatest need during these extraordinary times fills me with admiration for our people and wider airport community.

“With their backing and the support of our shareholders, we will do all we can to support both our local community, and the wider national effort in tackling the pandemic.”

Cllr Khtija Malik, portfolio holder with responsibility for public health, said: “It’s great news that we now have a drive-through testing centre at London Luton Airport and I would also like to thank the council’s airport company for its support of this initiative which will help in the fight against coronavirus and ensure more frontline workers can return to work quickly and continue to save lives."

Essential workers can access test booking here: self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk.