*Photograph: Sean Curtin / True Media

A drive-thru COVID-19 testing centre is to open at Shannon Airport which has been praised as showing a “proactive approach” from the International Airport.

Irish healthcare company is to run testing facilities at Shannon and Cork airports with the facilities to begin operating today (Thursday). The centre will be located in Coach Park 2 at Shannon Airport.

Pre-departure tests will be conducted for passengers flying out of the airports in accordance with the newly implemented EU Traffic Light system for international travel.

Quick, private testing will be provided to the public, RocDoc have stated. Results are to be made available within a matter of hours. Passengers will be the priority but the facility will also open to members of the public and local businesses who wish to be tested. Tests can be scheduled via CovidCheck.ie

David Rock, Chief Executive of RocDoc said the mobile category-two laboratory would be able to “meet the needs of large organisations that require same-day results. This means we can offer on-site, express testing of staff which helps them keep their businesses open”.

CEO of Shannon Group, Mary Considine said the provision of testing at Shannon was a “welcome development for the local community”. She added, “What we all want is for a safe return to air travel and having the facility to offer pre-departure testing at the airport is an important step in restoring consumer confidence to fly again.”

Shannon Chamber have hailed it as a step in the right direction. “It demonstrates that Shannon is a very proactive Airport and is doing everything within its power to welcome customers back again as soon as is practicable,” Chief Executive Helen Downes stated.

Ms Downes believed it would be of “tremendous benefit” to local businesses in need of fast-turnaround results. “We commend Shannon Airport and RocDoc on this initiative which will contribute greatly to reducing the spread of the virus and facilitate the resumption of air travel once it is safe to do so again. While we may not experience our old normal for quite some time yet, every new step in the direction of some type of normality is welcome. Everyone wants to come through this pandemic safely with our economy revived; testing and tracking is the route to this end”.

Related News

aidan-white-tony-walsh-1-1536x1152
Laura Lynn charity concert to return in Shannon next year
the forge kilkishen 1
Council commit to CCTV survey to try detect flooding at The Forge in Kilkishen
tj chambers 1
'Unimaginable loss' in Ballyea with death of teenager TJ Chambers
tommy guilfoyle donna mcgettigan martina cleary conor o'sullivan 1
Disruption over Tulla Rd Active Travel scheme has left locals & businesses 'very unhappy'
Latest News
the forge kilkishen 1
Council commit to CCTV survey to try detect flooding at The Forge in Kilkishen
clare v cork 20-04-25 david fitzgerald 6
'2026 is not the last dance for Clare's hurlers' insists Murphy
john fawl kevin walsh 1
Special merit award for Walsh
tj chambers 1
'Unimaginable loss' in Ballyea with death of teenager TJ Chambers
Donagh-Keogh-Pat-Keogh-Chauffeur-Service
All Star accreditation secured by Pat Keogh Chauffeur Services
Premium
Plans lodged for permanent ballroom to accommodate 320 guests at Trump Doonbeg
20 additions to largest ever Clare football panel before Madden & management set squad
Ennis man on bail for sending lewd images to his addiction counsellor
Permission given for US college student to give video-link evidence in Aer Lingus flight sex assault case
Bernard Keane bidding to become Munster GAA PRO

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.