(TAN): Flyers on the United flight from San Francisco International Airport to Hawaii on October 15 were the first to experience the airline’s Covid-19 pilot testing program, allowing customers who return a negative result to bypass the state’s mandatory quarantine requirements.
“Protecting the health and safety of our passengers is our highest priority, and we are proud to partner with United Airlines and their health providers to offer onsite rapid and drive-through testing for United’s passengers to Hawaii,” said SFO Airport Director Ivar C. Satero. “This collaboration of airlines, airports, and health providers truly creates a model for air travel that gives passengers a new level of confidence.”
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In collaboration with San Francisco International Airport, customers now have the option to take a same-day, pre-flight rapid test at the airport or a conveniently-located drive-through test at United’s San Francisco Maintenance Centre ahead of their trip. United has been approved by the Hawaii Department of Health as a trusted testing and travel partner and was the first US carrier to announce its plans to make Covid-19 tests available to customers.
United, working with San Francisco International Airport, will make two tests available to customers traveling to Hawaii: a rapid test option taken at the airport on the day of travel or a drive-through test conducted at the airport 48–72 hours before departure. Customers who produce a negative test result through either option will be exempt from quarantine requirements in Lihue, Maui and Honolulu. Customers traveling to Kona will be required to take a second complimentary test when they arrive to the island to avoid quarantining.
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The rapid Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 test – administered by GoHealth Urgent Care and their partner Dignity Health – is available at an onsite testing facility located in SFO’s international terminal prior to security. Customers based in San Francisco can schedule their visits online and will receive their results in approximately 15 minutes. The onsite testing facility will be open from 0800 to 1600 hours PT daily and customers are advised to make an appointment at least three hours before their flight, as no walk-in appointments will be available.
Once a customer takes the test, they will receive an electronic copy of their results in 24–48 hours. The testing facility is located at United’s San Francisco Maintenance Center parking lot at 800 S Airport Blvd – a short drive away from the airport. Customers must take the test within 72 hours of their flight’s departure and will receive their results electronically.
