Airport testing facilities at will help restore confidence in international travel.
That's the message from Cork Airport, which has become the first in Ireland to open a drive-through testing facility.
However the Táinaiste has advised people not to book their flights home for Christmas yet.
Drive-Through Airport Testing Can Be Ramped Up If Needed
Cork and Shannon airport have today unveiled their drive-through testing facilities.
They have the capacity to take 50-75 swabs per hour, but this can be ramped up to 500 per hour if necessary.
The onsite labs can process 1,500 tests a day.
David Rock, CEO of RocDoc, the private company which is running the facilities, says the service is not just for air passengers.
"For families that want to see sick or loved one that might be that little bit more vulnerable."
"People have been coming to us, concerned that they were unable to see their relatives."
"That wasn't down to the restrictions but because they were afraid they'd actually give their relative Covid."
An update on this. The DAA this afternoon saying they will actually have the capacity for as many as 15,000 tests a day using two private providers per my colleague @KaceyORiordan
Cork Airport alone with capacity for 50-75 tests an hour todayhttps://t.co/CKElgDFo70 https://t.co/WJxEziK8JX— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) November 12, 2020
It's The 'First Step' In Getting Air Travel Back
The cost of a test starts at €149.
Kevin Cullinane from Cork Airport thinks its the first step towards recovery for the sector.
"I think it'll restore confidence for a lot of people, in terms of air travel."
"To know that either pre-departure or on arrival, they can get a test at the airport facility."
But Táinaiste Says "It's Too Soon" To Book Flights Home
However the Táinaiste has advised people against booking flights home for Christmas.
Leo Varadkar has said it's too early to make the call, without knowing what the Covid restrictions will be.
While some backbench Fianna Fáil TDs have called for an easing of restrictions, the decision will largely rest on advice from the Chief Medical Officer.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has told the Dáil people should not make travel plans:
"I think in terms of people booking flights for Christmas to come home, I'd advise them not to do that at the moment."
"I know that's difficult, I know that's tough."
"But Christmas is six weeks away now, it's too soon now for people to be booking flights to come home."
Dublin Airport is to unveil its plans for a test centre in the coming days, but it says it will have a capacity for 15 thousand tests a day.
Additional Reporting from Cork Airport with Kacey O'Riordan.
