Tampa International, BayCare extend Covid testing
October 28, 2020 - Tampa International Airport and BayCare Health System will continue the airport’s Covid-19 passenger testing program through the end of the year. A pilot that began on Oct. 1 was successful, averaging about 130 to 140 passenger tests per day, and a total of more than 3,000 passenger tests this month, the airport said in a news release. Testing services will continue to be offered on a walk-in basis, seven days a week. Starting on Nov. 2, the testing site will have new hours of operation: Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday. There are two types of tests. The polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, a nasal swab test that experts say is the most reliable, and a rapid antigen test, which produces results in 15 minutes. The PCR tests costs $150 and the rapid antigen tests costs $60. Testing is voluntary and open to all arriving and departing passengers. Passengers departing from Tampa to destinations requiring a negative PCR test are advised to take the test three days before departure and can expect results within 48 hours.