Tampa International Airport (TPA) announced this week that it will be the first U.S. airport to offer two types of FDA-approved COVID-19 tests for sale to all departing and arriving passengers.
Located inside the Main Terminal near the Airside F shuttle, the pilot program testing site offers both the rapid antigen test and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. The PCR nasal swab test, which can be purchased for $125 by any passenger that wants one, is the most accurate and accepted tests internationally.
TPA travelers can also purchase the rapid antigen test for $57, which produces results in 15 minutes and is most accurate within five days of the onset of symptoms. Passengers will be able to purchase either test regardless of their airline, their gate location or destination.
Testing services, done in partnership with BayCare Health System, will be offered on a walk-in basis from Thursday, October 1st to October 31st, seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. and will be open to all ticketed passengers who are flying or have flown within three days and can show proof of travel.
“As a gateway to the West Coast of Florida with a growing market for international travel, Tampa International Airport has a responsibility to explore safe, rapid and affordable ways to keep our travelers, their destinations and our community as safe and healthy as possible,” TPA CEO Joe Lopano said. “We’re thankful to our partners at BayCare in helping us create a pilot program that gives us a step in the right direction, as well as providing a valuable service to our passengers.”
