The first on-site a Covid PCR testing laboratory in the Caribbean has been opened at The Crane Resort in Barbados.
The hotel is located ten minutes from the island’s Grantley Adams international airport.
The lab is offering a ‘Jetsetter’ package for $109 (£79) that includes personal VIP service through airport customs, immigration and the various health ministry processes, transfer to the resort, a rapid antigen test on departure and a luxury isolation suite at no charge if a fully vaccinated visitor tests positive.
The Barbados government is currently testing all passengers on arrival at the airport for free, for border entry, after a negative PCR test is returned three days prior to arrival.
Unvaccinated guests who must take a PCR test on day five of arrival can book an additional on-site test free-of-charge with a quick turnaround of results in a matter of hours, compared to the usual 24-hour timeframe.
They can spend the quarantine period in a suite with kitchen, living area, private pool, garden or terrace. They are then free to enjoy the rest of their holiday as normal upon receipt of a negative test.
The lab, operated by qualified technicians, accepts online bookings, ensuring that guests can be immediately swabbed and have results back and be out of quarantine in a matter of hours.
The facility also offers Covid-19 antigen tests with results available via email within approximately 30 minutes.
For guests returning to the UK and US, this offers an alternative to booking tests with private companies prior to their holiday, or using an external government facility where the wait for proof of a negative result can be up to two hours.
Paul Doyle, owner of The Crane, said: “Barbados has done an amazing job in controlling the spread of Covid-19 on the island, with current positivity rates less than 0.2%.
“We know that very accurate and speedy PCR testing will continue to be an important tool to keep visitors and Barbadians safe.
“Having our own automated PCR lab allows us to play an important part in this effort. New variants and – paradoxically – fully vaccinated visitors with a lower viral load in the rare instance they are positive, make high quality tests more critical than ever.
“In addition, we know that visitors who have been in lockdown and have waited a long while for their holidays will appreciate a hassle-free airport experience and speedy test results. We decided to help by building our own PCR lab.”
He added: “We have nothing but the highest regard for the team here in the ministry of health who have helped and guided us every step of the way. Most recently, we have enjoyed their support for the Barbados Covid lab.”