Since February, more than 8,179,000 infections and 219,000 fatalities have been reported in the United States.
LONDON Passengers traveling from Londons Heathrow Airport to Italy or Hong Kong will now be offered coronavirus tests ahead of departure that provide results within an hour.
The rapid coronavirus tests, which include a throat and nasal swab, are priced at 80 pounds (around $103) and will initially be available to passengers traveling with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Cathay Pacific airlines to destinations that require a preflight coronavirus test.
Unlike the more well-known PCR test, this loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test has more rapid results, though is not as sensitive. Destinations such as Greece, Cyprus, the Bahamas and Bermuda will still require a PCR test.
Launched by family-run medical firm Collinson and aviation company Swissport, the new service will be rolled out at Heathrow terminals 2 and 5 from Tuesday and will remain in place for at least four weeks.
Both Italy and Hong Kong require incoming visitors to show proof they tested negative for coronavirus on arrival.
Passengers will only be granted permission to fly if they have tested negative, Collinson said, adding that the testing regime would help ease anxiety of those taking to the skies.
John Holland-Kaye, the chief executive of Heathrow airport, said the new testing functionality would help make it easier for people seeking to travel to countries that are using preflight testing to keep their borders safe during the global health crisis.
Many governments now call for those traveling to take a test before entry in a bid to stop the transmission of the virus that has claimed over 1.1 million lives worldwide.
British Airways said in a statement that testing passengers for the infection ahead of departure is the safest and quickest way to get people flying again.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Monday that a new testing system designed to reduce the quarantine time for international arrivals into Britain is likely to be in place by Dec. 1.