Dublin Airport is today opening its first coronavirus testing centre.

The drive-thru centre will help passengers aiming to travel across Europe under the new ‘Traffic Light’ system for international travel.

A walk-in centre is also due to open next week. Combined the centres will have capacity to carry out 12,000 tests per day.

Under the system, countries are designated ‘Red,’ ‘Orange’ or ‘Green’ depending on their COVID-19 rates and testing positivity.

Passengers arriving from Green regions can travel without restriction; however, those arriving from Orange or Red regions may require testing or quarantine depending on local regulations.

An Air Baltic Boeing 737 airplane at Vienna airport in Austria.

On Breakfast Briefing with Shane Beatty this morning, DAA spokesperson Paul O’Kane said there is rising demand for airport testing around the world.

“If you are travelling from a Green country there are no restrictions but if you are travelling from an Orange or Red country, each EU country applies its own restrictions in relation to that and a number of countries are applying restrictions that require testing,” he said.

“If you take Spain for example, from next Monday, Spain will require arriving passengers from Red zones to have a negative PCR test.

“So, there is an increasing demand for testing in relation to travel.”

TYraffic Light system

He said both of the new centres are open to everyone not just passengers.

The new centres will offer three types of test, including the PCR test, which is the same as that offered by the HSE.

Mr O’Kane said passengers should find out what type of test the country they are travelling to requires before booking.

“You have got a couple of different options with tests starting at €99 with one for a PCR test and you will get your results in a day,” said Mr O’Kane.

“Currently the type of testing that is available, the fastest result you can get is five hours and that is what is called the LAMP test.

“But it is very important that people who are travelling, that they check the requirements in the country of arrival because each country is applying different rules so they will have specific rules in relation to the test in question.”

Antigen testing

He said the long-term plan is to roll-out rapid antigen testing at all airports – which could offer passengers a result in less than half-an-hour for around €5.

“What is supported right across Europe by airlines and airports is an antigen-style test and that could be built into your travel journey so you would have a pre-departure test and everyone getting on the airport would have been tested in advance,” he said.

Antigen testing is currently being trialled in Germany, Austria and Italy.

Airport testing centres have already been opened at Cork and Shannon airports.

Main image shows members of the Irish Defence forces at a Covid-19 testing facility at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, 02-06-2020. Image:  Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images