Virgin
Atlantic has started a trial of pre-flight Covid testing for its pilots and
cabin crew on routes to Shanghai and Hong Kong.?
The
airline is partnering with?GeneMe?UK to offer tests that give results
via an app within 30 minutes. The company claims that the test has been shown
to be 100% specific?(it correctly identifies those without the disease)
and?97% sensitive (correctly identifying those having the
disease) to detecting SARS-CoV-2 in independent laboratory tests.
Corneel
Koster, Virgin Atlantic¡¯s chief customer?and operating?officer, said:
¡°This?trial?is?a first step in our?phased plan?to
introduce regular testing for?all of our teams?in the air and on the
ground,?in order?to instil?confidence in flying.?However,
we continue to call for the?swift?introduction of
a?wider?coordinated?passenger testing regime.?We need
urgent action from?UK and US governments?to introduce?pre-departure?testing,?to
remove the need for quarantine?and to?minimise?travel
restrictions, while protecting public health?and half a million UK jobs
associated with the sector.¡±
He
added: ¡°As testing technology and Covid-19 requirements around the world
develop, we want to utilise?technology?that?is relevant,
accurate and available to?keep our teams and customers healthy and
safe.?While the Covid-19 testing landscape evolves, we?continue to be
in discussions with multiple providers offering different?technologies
to?guarantee?the?best solution?possible,
while?absolutely?ensuring?that?we do not compete with the
NHS for?vital?resources."
The
airline?plans to?extend the trial to Barbados?and?other services?later
in?October,?before a?wider roll-out to test every operating crew
at least once per month. ?