London’s airports ready to start coronavirus testing soon after ministers give go-ahead

London’s airport bosses say they would have passenger testing facilities in place “within days” once the Government has given them the all-clear to introduce them. Five out of six of the capital’s airports said they were in advanced talks with specialist providers about setting up optional coronavirus testing centres for arriving passengers that could slash the amount of time needed to spend in quarantine from the current 14 days. However, none will activate the plans until they have been given clear guidelines by ministers. Stansted, the third biggest, is the most advanced and said it is “ready to go as soon as the Government puts a policy in place”. It has been trialling testing centres in car parks. Heathrow said it needed about a fortnight “in order for IT integration with airlines to happen” for testing to be operational. The test would cost about GBP150. Heathrow has one facility near the immigration hall in Terminal Two and a second being prepared in Terminal Five. Under the Heathrow plan passengers would have one test on arrival and a second a few days later to confirm the reading. Heathrow CE John Holland-Kaye said: “We are ready to go — we just need the Government to give us the green light." Southend airport also said it could have testing operational in a fortnight. <br/>