Aeroporti di Puglia announces that at Bari airport an area for rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 has been set up, using a diagnostic device compliant with Directive 98/79/EC. The area, located at the arrivals floor of the passenger terminal, has two stations capable of ensuring a total of 90 tests in one hour.

The antigen test used (FIA Ag Sars-Cov-2 Test) is of the nasopharyngeal type with the principle of fluorescence immunochromatography and requires about 15 minutes processing times. On request of the passenger, where required by the health provisions of the country of destination, a normal rapid antigen test may be used.

The service can be booked every day from 9.00 to 18.00 through the free number 800196964 or sending an  email to prenotazionetest@a-ps.it . The passenger will receive a confirmation email or a text message indicating the date and time of  booking. Notwithstanding the booking order, priority will always be guaranteed to departing passengers.

This initiative is part of a pilot case that Aeroporti di Puglia, Lead Partner of ON CLOUD NINE project, funded within the Interreg Italy-Albania-Montenegro Programme, wants to start, in agreement with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

In fact, the pilot action foresees the launch of Covid Free flights on the Bari-Tirana route, subject to the authorization of the Ministry of Health, in agreement with Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. 

The aim is that this testing phase will lead to valid results, for the purpose of an application "by rule "of the protocol until the end of the health emergency, also on other air routes, as provided for by art. 54 of the DPCM of 2 March 2021, in order to facilitate the recovery of a sector among the most affected by the pandemic effects.