Dubai-based airline, Emirates has become the first airline to conduct on-site rapid COVID-19 testing for passengers departing the country, in partnership with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Emirates says it is working to scale up testing capabilities and extend it to other flights.
On Wednesday, April 15, Emirates has started first rapid tests for passengers departing to Tunisia. The tests are taken by trained medical workers at the Group Check-in area of Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB). Members of the DHA take quick blood tests and results take up to ten minutes to show negative or positive status for COVID-19.
Emirates has recently announced a number of limited flight routes, for those who wish to leave the country. There have been introduced strict measures as social distancing for passengers and protective barriers at Check-In desks. All airport staff must use gloves, masks and hand sanitisers during the procedures as well as passengers must do the same.
Adel Al Redha, Emirates Chief Operating Officer said: “The testing process has gone smoothly and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the DHA for their initiatives and innovative solutions.” To tackle COVID-19, there have been proactive measures taken and after each journey all Emirates aircraft go through enhanced disinfection in Dubai.
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus which is causing illness in humans and animals. Most people infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus will feel mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without any special treatment. Older people, as well as those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness, and require immediate assistance. Novel Coronavirus was first identified in a cluster with pneumonia symptoms in Wuhan city, Hubei province of China, quickly spreading around the world. On early March 2020, the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic had officially started, becoming the defining global health crisis of our time. Today, it is the greatest challenge people have faced since World War II, worsened by subsequent lockdowns of whole countries, collapse of entire industries, and a major economic recession.