MDH opens COVID-19 saliva testing location at MSP Airport

Minnesota’s ninth COVID-19 PCR saliva testing location is now open at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).

According to a release, the Minnesota Department of Health, Vault Medical Services and the Metropolitan Airports Commission partnered up and opened the state’s ninth location for COVID-19 PCR saliva testing at MSP.

The testing site expands testing capacity for Minnesota residents and will be available to residents at no cost and for a fee to out-of-state residents.

"COVID-19 testing is integral to the health and safety of Minnesotans, and the airport is centrally located and convenient for people living in or visiting the Twin Cities," said MAC Chair Rick King. "The testing site also adds another element to MSP’s Travel Confidently program, which includes health-safety measures such as a mask requirement, social distancing, hand sanitizing and Plexiglass shields where travelers interact with airport staff."

The saliva collection process takes about 15 minutes and the tests will be processed at a lab in Minnesota. Test results will be sent by email in 24 to 48 hours. According to the release, no appointment is necessary, but reservations are encouraged.

If taking the saliva test, you should not eat, drink, chew or smoke anything for at least 30 minutes prior to providing a saliva sample.

“Increasingly, the aviation industry is looking at testing as a way to ease concerns about travel between states and nations,” said MAC CEO Brian Ryks. “We’re already seeing timely negative results from COVID-19 tests reduce quarantine requirements in some places, and we hope that trend will continue as time goes on and reliable testing becomes more readily available.”

MDH to offer free at-home COVID-19 saliva testing

While Minnesotans don’t pay a fee for testing, those with insurance need to provide that information for reimbursement processes. The fee for the COVID-19 test for non-Minnesota residents is $94.

The airport COVID-19 testing site is located near the former Terminal 1 rental car counters adjacent to Level 2 of the Blue Ramp. The site will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week and includes parking. Drive to the Terminal 1 entry plaza for parking ramps. Take a ticket to enter. Parking is available on Level 4 of the Blue Ramp. Use the ramp elevator and go to Level 2. Site staff will provide a two-hour parking voucher which should be used in combination with the ticket to exit the ramp. The airport testing site is also accessible by Metro Transit bus and light rail service.

Face masks and social distancing are required at MSP, including in the COVID-19 testing area.

For more information or questions about the saliva testing process and locations, click here.

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