UAE-based Emirates has conducted on-the-spot coronavirus testing to passengers departing the country, becoming the first airline to introduce the medical procedure to travellers.

The quick blood test, conducted with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) on Wednesday for Tunisia-bound flyers, offered results within 10 minutes. It was conducted at the airline’s check-in area of Dubai International Airport Terminal 2.

The airline has recently operated outbound flights from Dubai to help repatriate stranded visitors and expatriates who want to return to their home countries.

The number of coronavirus cases in the country has been on the rise since the country conducted mass testing. Out of the more than 648,000 tests conducted across the country, more than 4,900 people tested positive for coronavirus as of Wednesday.

Limited testing facilities and slow test results have hindered efforts to detect and contain the virus in many countries around the world. It is not clear yet whether the 10-minute test will now be mandatory for all Emirates passengers, but there are plans to scale up the testing program at the 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 traveling to countries that require COVID-19 test certificates,” said Adel Al Redha, Emirates chief operating officer.

Businesses have been urged to roll out screening facilities and preventive measures to restore public confidence amid heightened fears of coronavirus spread. Airports in the country have been mostly empty after the government suspended all inbound, outbound and transit flights last month.

Emirates is currently operating flights from Dubai to London four times weekly, Frankfurt (thrice-weekly) Jakarta (April 15), Tunis (April 15), Manila (April 15 and 16), Algiers (April 16), Taipei (April 18) and Chicago (April 18).

(Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria)

Cleofe.Maceda@refinitiv.com

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