FREE COVID-19 Testing at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) V Dublin Airport
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Paris Orly airports have free COVID testing, both rapid antigen and PCR for departing passengers. In Dublin Airport there is no government policy on COVID-19 testing. There is no requirement for inbound or outbound COVID tests. COVID-19 testing centres at Dublin Airport make no sense.
Video transcript: It’s almost Christmas and I today am in Paris. I have just landed from Dublin into a busy Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Before my next flight I get a 15 minute rapid antigen test in the airport terminal. I made my appointment online the day before. The test is quick and easy and yes, it is mildly uncomfortable, but it is not painful and not something to be afraid of.
In Paris Airports there is no cost for departing passengers who need a COVID test before flying.
Both rapid antigen and PCR tests are free at the airport. Antigen results are immediate. PCR is next day.
What I experienced here in CDG is available is in all major airports in France and in most other European counties.
In Ireland there is no policy relating to airport testing for inbound or outbound passengers. Yes, there are private test centres at our airports but, without government support and a change in policy they make no sense.
Who would get a PCR test at the airport when the requirement is normally 48 or 72 hours prior to travel, unless you live near the airport. The only testing guidelines from the government are for a PCR test three days before returning from an ‘orange’ country or five days after returning from a ‘red’ country, to avoid ‘restricted movement’. PCR at the airport makes no sense. I have taken all my tests at my local TMB clinic.
The only requirement in Ireland is for arriving passengers to complete the Passenger Locator Form. ‘Restricted movement’ is not a legal requirement, it is only advised.
The government, NPHET and the HSE have all actively and publicly discouraged our diaspora from travelling home for Christmas, in effect publicly shaming those who choose or need to travel home to see loved ones this Christmas, even though there is no travel ban.
Ireland signed up to the EU Traffic Light system in November. Travel is permitted and is safe when people follow the EU and Irish government guidelines and protocols. The EU Commission, the European Centre for Disease Control and the European Aviation Safety Authority all support the opening up of travel with sensible and balanced protocols, which is what we need here in Ireland, not flight shaming and contradictory government statements.
An opportunity has been missed this Christmas. Rapid antigen testing should have been made available at our airports and it should have been government backed.
https://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passe....
https://www.dublinairport.com/covid-1...