Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading

Moscow expands COVID-19 express tests to major airports

FILE PHOTO: Planes are seen parked at Sheremetyevo International Airport, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, outside Moscow, Russia April 9, 2020 REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva/File Photo

Russia is expanding COVID-19 express tests to other major air hubs in Moscow after using them at the country's busiest airport, Sheremetyevo, in the capital, the Russian Direct Investment Fund said on Wednesday.

The portable testing system, which fits in two small suitcases, gives results within an hour and is already being used by some Russian companies and at major events, the RDIF said.

Moscow announced the resumption of some regular international flights on Aug. 1 to Turkey, Britain and Tanzania, as the coronavirus crisis eases in Russia. The country has also been in talks with other countries to re-launch the flights.

Russia has the world's fourth-highest number of coronavirus cases at 866,627. It says 14,490 people have died from the virus.

As part of a wider plan to create coronavirus-free airport hubs, RDIF said on Wednesday the express tests would be expanded to other Moscow's largest airports, Vnukovo International and Moscow Domodedovo.

It said the testing would be available both for arriving and departing passengers. The service will be rolled out at the airports within a week.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.