Photo: Emirates
The test involves blood being drawn from a finger prick, and the results are processed in just 10 minutes. Emirates is planning to expand tests for flights to countries that require arriving passengers to be screened for the virus.
Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ chief operating officer, said in a statement, “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 travelling to countries that require COVID-19 test certificates.”
Photo: Emirates
The airline has adapted its check-in and boarding systems with protective barriers so they meet the social distancing requirements.
All passengers are also required to wear masks at the airport and on board, and can only take small carry-ons like a laptop, handbag, briefcase, or baby items in the cabin. All other luggage must be checked in.
Emirates had previously grounded all its flights due to the coronavirus pandemic, but has recently resumed some routes to help repatriate citizens to their home countries — including the US, UK, Germany, Tunisia, Taiwan, and Afghanistan. 