New rapid testing site for cruise passengers opens in the UK
A new Covid-19 testing facility has opened to get travellers safely onto cruises from Portsmouth, UK
NPH Group has opened the doors to a new testing facility that will provide Rapid Lateral Flow Antigen Tests near Portsmouth International Port. Throughout August, up to 12,000 passengers are set to sail with Virgin Voyages new Scarlet Lady cruise ship. The newly formed test facility at the Port will provide every traveller with quick testing prior to their travels.
As part of their holiday package, cruise ship passengers with Virgin Voyages are required to have two Covid vaccines and agree to have a negative antigen test before embarkation.
The new testing facility is located under two fully equipped marquees which are conveniently accessed via a Covid secure shuttle bus from the Port carpark. On arrival, travellers go through a check-in process and are required to show their vaccine status using the NHS App or vaccination card, as well as going into a testing booth.
Supporting the cruise industry after the pandemic
Passengers then get their results via email 20 minutes later, at the same time as a result notification being displayed in NPH Group’s Test Manager application, confirming whether they can proceed to Virgin Check In and embark the new cruise liner.
Mark Philpott, CEO at NPH Group said: “This not only helps people to cruise in British waters again, it also helps to support the cruise industry and open up more possibilities of international cruising, which was hit hard by the pandemic, and it will provide added revenues to one of our English ports.”
Andrew Williamson, Portsmouth International Port’s Passenger Operations Manager, added: “The safety of passengers and staff remains our priority, and we want journeys through our port to be as comfortable and easy as possible.”