San Francisco International Airport is the first in the U.S. to provide free COVID-19 testing for arriving international passengers.
The airport announced in a press release Tuesday they teamed with the California Department of Public Health to provide international travelers with two rapid tests: One on the first day, and another within five days of arrival.
A third, a PCR test, is also provided and would be taken if the passenger tests positive for COVID-19. Those results are then sent to a state lab monitoring COVID-19 variants.
“We are proud to be the first airport in this pilot program with the California Department of Public Health,” Airport Director Ivar C. Satero said in a statement. “Throughout this pandemic, SFO has been leading the airport industry in developing onsite testing and vaccination capabilities. With this program, we take another important step forward in understanding how to track and defeat this pandemic.”
Travelers’ testing is voluntary. The program is expected to last for about five weeks, according to officials.
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