In a first, Heathrow airport in London has inaugurated a &lsquotest before departure&rsquo facility this Tuesday. Passengers will be tested at a cost of 80 pounds per person and the reports are expected to be given within an hour.

Swissport and Collinson, among the leading provider of ground and cargo handling services to the aviation industry, have launched this joint venture. Right now, the service is being offered to those travelling to Hong Kong.

The facilities, located in Terminals 2 and 5, will offer LAMP testing and will then be increased to offer antigen testing in the ensuing weeks, the latter of which will be offered to passengers travelling to Italy.

Heathrow airport authorities had been voicing the need for airport testing facilities to get the aviation sector back on track. The testing-before-departure service has been met with a mixed response from the government as many feel it will only be able to detect about six percent of the cases. A similar testing facility was being set up in August but had met a dead end due to lack of government approval. Many feel that not only will it be a welcome alternative to the 14-day quarantine periodm but also be useful for those travelling in and out of London for business or leisure.