DTC is considering hiring more than 100 people immediately across both airports, with additional employees to join as the programme expands. Credit: N i c o l a – Flickr: Chicago Airport – ND0_5470.

Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has announced that Doctors Test Centers (DTC), in collaboration with Simple Laboratories, has been selected to run a new Covid-19 testing programme at both O’Hare and Midway International airports.

CDA claimed that this will be the most comprehensive airport testing option available in the country.

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The testing programme, which will include both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and rapid antigen tests, will commence later this month.

CDA commissioner Jamie L Rhee said: “The Chicago Department of Aviation is proud to present the most comprehensive Covid-19 testing programme of any airport system in the nation.

“With two types of tests available at both airports, as well as our strict adherence to public health guidelines requiring face coverings and social distancing throughout the terminals, we aim to provide the traveling public and the wider airport community with a safe environment and peace of mind.”

Hiring for testing and customer support roles at two new sites will be conducted by DTC.

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DTC is considering hiring more than 100 people immediately across both airports, with additional employees to join as the programme expands.

The aim of the programme is to provide timely test results to passengers as several international destinations require a negative PCR test result.

PCR test results will be available within 72 hours while the rapid test results will be available within 20 minutes.

O’Hare will feature a walk-up, pre-security testing site and a drive-up site in a remote parking area.

DTC will also be setting up a walk-up testing site in the terminal at Midway.

The new testing sites will be limited to airport employees and passengers.

Test recipients will need to show proof of travel 72 hours before their test or five days after, or proof of airport employment.

Last month, CDA issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a vendor to offer Covid-19 testing at both airports for passengers and employees.

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