Václav Havel Airport Prague: now available - testing for presence of COVID-19

Passengers and visitors can now be tested for the presence of the virus causing COVID-19 directly at Václav Havel Airport Prague. Testing is performed by an accredited GHC Genetics laboratory. The new service will facilitate safe travelling and also reduce the spread of the disease. Both passengers and the general public can use the testing directly at the airport. Prague Airport has set up a total of three check points where GHC Genetics healthcare professionals provide the testing. One check point is located in the public area of the airport in the connecting corridor between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. It is intended primarily for the general public and for departing passengers who need a negative test result to enter their final destination. The other two check points are located airside in the non-public area of both terminals. The hours of operation of these two points will depend on arrival traffic and current needs. They are expected to be used primarily by passengers on arrivals, who are either obliged to submit a negative COVID-19 test result with regard to the destination from which they are travelling, or who want to take the test voluntarily to ensure their good health.​

“The health and safety of passengers is our utmost priority. We have therefore decided to join the current trend and ensure the possibility of testing for COVID-19 directly at the airport. We believe that testing will not only increase the safety of passengers and help reduce the risk of spreading the disease when crossing borders, but also make travelling much easier,” Vaclav Rehor, Chairman of the Prague Airport Board of Directors, said.

Testing is available to passengers and the general public at Václav Havel Airport Prague daily from 4.00 a.m. to midnight. However, the operating hours of the check points will be adjusted according to the current air traffic. The samples taken at the airport are analysed at a remote workplace fitted for the purpose and the test results are shared with the tested person in a standard mode within a maximum of 12 hours via e-mail.

However, there is also an express testing service available, under which the results are communicated to the passenger within only three hours. This mode is most suitable for departing passengers who need a negative COVID-19 test result to enter the country of arrival and for arriving passengers requiring a negative test result to quickly enter the Czech Republic. They can wait for the results directly at the airport and only enter the Czech territory with a negative result.

“I am really pleased that our GHC Genetics workplace (certified by the Czech Accreditation Institute, a member of the international accreditation system), which has passed COVID-19 interlaboratory quality tests with the National Reference Laboratory and was included by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic among the official laboratories testing SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), will be an integral part of the work performed by check points at Václav Havel Airport Prague. We provide professional testing for COVID-19 in our laboratories primarily using the method (RT-PCR), but we also perform examinations for IgG and IgM antibodies, both immunologically and immunochromatographically employing the so-called rapid tests", Viktor Furman, GHC Genetics Director, said. 

The taking of samples at the check points is performed on a queue basis. Alternatively, passengers and other interested parties can book a time in advance on telephone number +420 739 500 500
or via e-mail covid@ghc.cz. Pre-ordered interested parties are given appointments, after prior payment of the fee.

The price for the standard RT-PCR COVID-19 test is 65 EUR (1,750 CZK). The price for express performance of the test with delivery of results within three hours is 280 EUR (7,500 CZK). The surcharge for confirmation of test results by a doctor, if requested by the passenger, is 20 EUR 
(550 CZK). Payment is accepted at all three check points, via debit cards and cash, using Czech crowns or Euros. GHC Genetics was selected as a testing service provider by Prague Airport in a regular tender.   

Who in particular can undergo COVID-19 testing directly at Václav Havel Airport Prague:

Passengers of Czech or foreign nationality arriving from abroad without the obligation to submit a negative COVID-19 test result when entering the Czech Republic:

• These passengers are provided the option of voluntary testing immediately upon arrival at the airport to ensure their good health. They will be admitted to the Czech Republic without restrictions and will receive the test results in the standard mode within a maximum of 12 hours by e-mail, in the case of express service within three hours. We recommend using a check point in a non-public area of the airport.

Passengers of Czech nationality or foreigners with permanent residency in the Czech Republic arriving from abroad with the obligation to submit a negative COVID-19 test result or pass a mandatory quarantine after entering the Czech Republic:

• These passengers are provided the option of taking the test immediately upon arrival at the airport with either a standard or express mode of delivery of the result. They can wait for the test results at the airport and then enter the Czech Republic when they receive a negative test result. Alternatively, they will be permitted to enter the country subject to the mandatory quarantine and be requested they report the test results to the relevant health station immediately after receiving them. 

Passengers of foreign nationality arriving from abroad with the obligation to submit a negative 
COVID-19 test result when entering the Czech Republic:

• These passengers are provided the option of taking the test immediately upon arrival at the airport with either a standard or express mode of delivery of the result. They wait for the test results at the airport and then enter the Czech Republic when they receive a negative test result.

Testing at the airport can also be taken by any interested member of the general public without the need to travel and by passengers departing from Prague to a destination where they must present a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival. However, such passengers should allow enough time to wait for the test results.

A number of protective measures have been in place at Václav Havel Airport Prague, set up to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease and protect the health and safety of passengers. For several months, Prague Airport has been in close co-operation with public health protection authorities, such as the City Health Station of Prague, consulting on the current situation and all applied measures on an ongoing basis. These include, for example, the keeping of a safe distance between people in all areas of the airport, thorough disinfection of all frequented areas, installation of protective plexiglass 
at check-in and information counters and the prevention of excessive accumulation of passengers. 

The airport is also very active in the area of the education of all its employees and customers, who can use over 250 disinfection dispensers placed across the airport. Passengers can also use online 
check-in alongside self check-in and self bag drops at the airport, to avoid contact with airport employees. 

A detailed list of measures applied at Václav Havel Airport Prague is available on the airport’s website: www.prg.aero/en/protective-measures.