Abu Dhabi launches region’s first PCR testing laboratory in airport

A Monitor Report

Published: March 10, 2021 | 12:00 AM2 min read

Abu Dhabi launches region’s first PCR testing laboratory in airport

Dhaka: Abu Dhabi Airports, partnering with Pure Health and Tamouh Healthcare, has unveiled the region’s first PCR testing laboratory in an airport. The new ultramodern RT-PCR lab offers quick COVID-19 testing in the Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to facilitate air travel resumption and support quarantine tracking procedures.

The new Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing process is designed to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of passengers and staff at Abu Dhabi International Airport. It is also free for arriving passengers and is one of the fastest in the world, with results available in approximately 90 minutes with the capacity to test over 20,000 travelers and staff per day.

Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “Through partnering with Pure Health and Tamouh Healthcare, Abu Dhabi International Airport is now able to offer travelers state-of-the-art rapid testing services delivered by a dedicated laboratory facility. The introduction of the RT-PCR COVID-19 testing is a milestone achievement in our ongoing efforts to facilitate the safe resumption of international air travel and support the recovery of the aviation industry.”

“The fact that this is the first airport in the region to contain its own dedicated PCR testing laboratory is testament to our commitment at Abu Dhabi Airports to continuously innovate and look for new ways to deliver a safe, smooth and seamless travel experience for all our passengers,” he added.

All passengers arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport through both Terminals 1 and 3 will be tested at the AUH PCR testing facility. Results of the COVID-19 tests will be shared by SMS and WhatsApp, as well as being available on the Alhosn mobile application.

Passengers who receive a negative PCR test and are from the list of ‘green’ countries, outlined by the government of Abu Dhabi, will not have to self-isolate. Those not from the list of ‘green’ countries will have to self-isolate for a period of ten days and will require a quarantine wristband fitted at the PCR testing tent attached to the airport.