United Airlines To Offer COVID-19 Pre-Flight Testing to Belize Passengers

by Caribbean Lifestyle Editorial Team

Starting next month, passengers of United Airlines traveling to select Latin American and Caribbean destinations, like Belize,  from its George Bush Intercontinental Airport hub in Houston could take a preflight COVID-19 test. In an effort to restart travel, pre-flight tests also accommodate passengers looking to avoid quarantines or travel bans. Starting December 7,  passengers originating from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) will have the option to take a self-collected, mail-in test that meets local entry requirements for each destination; this’ll allow passengers to reunite with family or start their vacation immediately. However, the following destinations can benefit from United’s pre-flight COVID-19 testing starting with departures on December 7 from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH):

United encourages customers to research the local requirements for further questions specific to their destination. Currently, Belize’s entry protocols requests a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure.

How United’s Pre-flight PCR COVID-19 Testing Programme Works:

COVID-19 test kits available for United Customers

RT-PCR COVID-19 test kits available for United customers. Photo via Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory (ADL)

The self-collected, mail-in RT-PCR COVID-19 test is US$119. The test will be administered by Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory (ADL) and processed at their COVID-19 testing laboratory in San Antonio, Texas. United will reach out to customers 14 days ahead of their flights to provide instructions on ordering a test and the testing process. United encourages customers to research the local requirements for further questions specific to their destination. Customers are advised to take the tests 72 hours before departure and should expect to receive results via email within 24-48 hours of mailing in their test. Additionally, ADL’s self-collection kit includes a plastic tube, a nasal swab and instructions on how to properly collect a specimen

“Widespread testing is key to unlocking international borders and safely reopening global travel. This is particularly important for our customers in Houston; [they] rely on United to keep them connected with their family and friends in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Toby Enqvist, chief customer officer for United. “We’ll continue to lead the way on testing. United was the first to announce a customer COVID-19 testing program and the first to offer free tests on flights across the Atlantic. And we’ll look at new, innovative ways to make the travel experience even safer.”

Related: Getting to Belize – Flights & More

Indeed, United and other airlines have been scrambling to advance testing regimes to ease travel in the pandemic. Last week, United began a trial of free preflight Covid tests for some London-bound passengers and last month started a preflight testing program for travelers flying to Hawaii from San Francisco. Learn more about Belize’s entry requirements here.

Header photo © Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle.

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