Emirates has begun testing an onsite rapid Covid-19 testing process for passengers that it plans to scale up in the future.
On Wednesday, the carrier worked with the Dubai Health Authority to issue a blood test for all passengers traveling to Tunisia from Dubai. Results from the tests were available within 10 minutes, and Emirates said it was the first carrier to conduct testing of that type.
Emirates COO Adel Al Redha in a statement said the process went "smoothly" and the carrier plans to introduce it on additional flights. "This will enable us to conduct on-site tests and provide immediate confirmation for Emirates passengers travelling to countries that require Covid-19 test certificates," he said.
The carrier has introduced other measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus. It has changed check-in and boarding processes to abide by social distancing rules, required all airport employees to use gloves, masks and hand sanitizers and is requiring passengers to wear masks at the airport and onboard aircraft.
In addition, Emirates has restricted carry-on baggage to small items such as laptops and briefcases, requiring larger carry-on items to be checked. Those checked items are being added to passengers' baggage allowance.
Emirates had grounded all passengers service in late March but resumed some passenger service earlier this month.