A new COVID-19 testing appointment system conducted at MacArthur Airport is designed to minimize quarantine and take some of the stress out of travel for passengers arriving onto Long Island.
According to a press release about the new system, AFC Urgent Care – Long Island, a private urgent care medical group with locations near the airport, will have trained staff available at the airport with mobile equipment that will allow travelers to make reservations on-the-spot for either a PCR or rapid test. The providers will also be prepared to answer questions about the tests or the new guidelines and requirements recently announced by New York State.
"We hope to provide an easy option for travelers to sign up for testing as they arrive or return to the State of New York,” said Long Island MacArthur Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken. “Negative COVID-19 tests can help visitors and residents reduce quarantine time from two weeks to just four days.”
Rapid testing can produce results in as little as 15 minutes. The PCR test is slightly more accurate and may take three to five days for results. The New York Traveler Health Form states that a COVID-19 test must be taken 72 hours prior to arriving in New York State.
The New York Department of Health reserves the right to request a copy of the test result. Any traveler arriving in New York must quarantine for 14 days or take a COVID-19 test on day four after arrival and quarantine until that second test is negative.
Travelers from border states (New Jersey, Connectibut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Vermont) are not required to quarantine or test.
For residents who live in New York and have insurance, the cost of the PCR test is 100 percent covered. Depending on insurance, there could be an additional fee for a rapid test.