national

Japan opens airport coronavirus test lab for departing travelers

41 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© (Thomson Reuters 2020.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

41 Comments
Login to comment

Maybe they could offer first class passengers a mere 4 hour wait for 100,000 yen?

1 ( +7 / -6 )

nothing but a money making scam.

13 ( +19 / -6 )

Fantastic to finally see this happening.

Now the most important: reduce the price to a reasonable amount and make health insurance cover it, or most of it at least, as in most of the countries from the developed world.

46,000¥ is an outrageous price for a PCR. It is time to make it accessible to anyone who wants to get tested.

17 ( +20 / -3 )

The Narita International Airport PCR Center is aimed at outbound travelers ...

Possibly helpful to travelers to one of the few locations requiring a PCR test for entry: St Lucia, Turks & Caicos, The Maldives, Cyprus, Portugal, Turkey, Spain, and Italy (as of 1 October).

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Business & First class should have this ripoff charge included in the fare.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

The tests are not covered by insurance and can cost as much as 46,500 yen.

I’d be getting my test somewhere other than Narita airport then...

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Great value, for those wishing to leave, everything comes at a cost, just pay and feel happy in the knowledge that people are working hard to help you,!

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

> With about 100,000 cases and 1,773 fatalities, Japan has weathered the pandemic better than many major economies.

Of the 1,773 ‘fatalities’ what were the ages and what underlying conditions were present as a cause of death?

Without that information, it is difficult to ascribe the corona virus as being the direct cause of death in any of the 1,773.

I personally know three people to have contracted the virus and all have shown no greater symptoms than a heavy cold or less...

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

The tests are not covered by insurance and can cost as much as 46,500 yen.

For my business trips, my company will pay that, but for a private trip...too expensive for me.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Convenience has a high price, it seems.

At least this story didn't assume the test would be negative, like the last story did. For 6 hr testing, I'd want it extremely accurate. Aren't there 15 minute tests available?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Photo is of high contact health workers wearing ineffective paper masks. They should have surgical masks and eyewear/face shields.

this new virus is serious.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Business & First class should have this ripoff charge included in the fare.

Why? For biz travellers their company would pay for it. For first class passengers, they can well afford an extra 45,000 yen.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

4 man for having someone put a stick up my nose that most of the time does not even accurately test for the overestimated illness? No thanks, no international travel for me and my fam. I rather stay here and support the local economy.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

LOL at the comments complaining about the price. If you can't 400 bucks for a test than you should not be traveling.

-17 ( +3 / -20 )

It's $100-200 to have a test at the airport and drug stores in the US.

Just like Japanese smartphone carriers a complete rip off.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

It gives only a relief and positive (subjective) feeling. And money making for testing firms.

Now the most important: reduce the price to a reasonable amount and make health insurance cover it, or most of it at least, as in most of the countries from the developed world.

46,000¥ is an outrageous price for a PCR. It is time to make it accessible to anyone who wants to get tested.

It's not compulsory, shouldn't be so. Currently the main targets are business people, and expenses would usually be covered by their employer.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

New York state now requires a negative test within 72 hours of entry to avoid having to reduce self quarantine from 14 days to 3 days.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The tests are not covered by insurance and can cost as much as 46,500 yen.

They can cost as much as 46,500 yen? This implies that they are sometimes cheaper.

My understanding is the test is the test. There are no grades to choose from. Therefore there shouldn't be any variation in price.

So, how much is it? It opened yesterday, so the specific price should be known.

Or as some people have implied, is the price going to depend on your seat class, or destination?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

As some say, this is a pure rip-off. But not unexpected, considering how much everything else costs in Japan.

Heathrow Airport in UK offers rapid one-hour tests for departing passengers, costing a mere 80 pounds or 11,000 yen.

Second, since Japan is now offering these tests, would Japan be willing to let foreign permanent residents back into Japan if they took similar tests at say, Heathrow Airport?

I thought not.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, NZ - do NOT open up to Japan. The virus will be travelling one way.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Is this 6 hour test exactly the same spec as the one required of non-Japanese returning to Japan (within 72 hours)? If not, yet another injustice. If yes, then good, but still very over-priced.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It is my understanding there are only two test prices: 46,500 yen is for a walk-in customer without a reservation; and 39,800 yen is the price for someone who makes a reservation in advance. Please correct me if I misunderstood...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

factcheckerToday  07:42 am JST

Business & First class should have this ripoff charge included in the fare.

if you can afford a 1st class ticket then 45,000 yen is only pocket change. This why people hate the rich

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Just postpone another little bit and they will pay for it and even give additional presents, just for the few remaining passengers. They’ll soon beg crying on their knees that someone please flies wherever it is and is accepting being forced to be tested and waiting for hours, otherwise a lot of airlines will be history including at least one of the two domestic ones. You have now the consumer power here, not those money greedy and lying suckers who not even can guarantee that the 46,500yen test result is near truth.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

That means I have to arrive at the airport 8 hours before so I can check in for my flight after waiting for 6 hours for results. That’s 2 meals at the airport before I can take off.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Just amazed at the bitterness of the mainly foreign posters on this website. ANYTHING that this country does, will just not satisfy you.

Firstly, if you HAVE to travel somewhere that demands a negative test result on entry then you can afford this - no reason to travel unless you absolutely have to. You do not have to pay this money to re enter Japan. That is a rapid PCR (saliva) conducted at the airport on re-entry. People I know who have travelled have experienced waiting times of 2-2 1/2 hours of landing to exiting the airport. Not bad and quite reasonable, but, no, that test would not suffice as the 72 hour test that is foreigners need to have before we return to Japan - this a a sore point for all of us and I do accept that this is unfair.

What they are offering in this article is the full PCR test which carries a lot more weight IF required to travel and required at your destination. I, for one, would take it if I HAD to visit anyone older, such as my Mother in an emergency to assure them that I was negative at that point. AND - if you want a full PCR test in London that will keep the authorities happy on arrival here, I am afraid that cost is somewhat more, as in closer to 300 Pounds, than it is for 80 Pound 'quickie' at Heathrow.

Pukey2 - You are really vociferous in your dislike of the cost of living in Japan. Do you not, at some point question your reasoning for living here? Please, you can bemoan the lack of testing, you can implore others not to open their borders but it is getting very tiresome. Have we dodged a bullet? Following a conversation with someone in the medical profession yesterday, Yes. Absolutely. Have many cases slipped through the net because of the lack of testing. Yes. Absolutely. The much more interesting part of my conversation was when he said 'I know people who have been manning COVID wards since April and they are still literally waiting around for something to happen'

Keep you mask on, your hands clean and stay safe Peeps - Saddens me that so many of you are wishing your days away waiting for something bad to happen here.in Japan. We could be a lot worse position than being here.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

I am already tired and ready to rest before I even take off for another maybe 12 hours direct flight! What a tiring day!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Shame

3 ( +3 / -0 )

https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test In the UK its Free, as for paying £344 (46.500 yen) for a test, is nothing short of a rip off. I think travellers should pay something, like 7000 yen £50 ish, that would be reasonable

3 ( +5 / -2 )

the Resident:

Firstly, if you HAVE to travel somewhere that demands a negative test result on entry then you can afford this - no reason to travel unless you absolutely have to.

People, including me, have missed funerals and weddings. I consider funerals quite important, but then again, that's me. Maybe you're not fussed. I also would like to visit elderly relatives and give some time off for relatives who act as caretakers. But then again, that's me. Lucky you, if you don't have to worry about these things.

You do not have to pay this money to re enter Japan.

What planet are you living on for god's sake? As far as I know, you have to take a test PRIOR to coming back to Japan. You've even said so yourself. And boo bloody hoo, even you admit it's unfair. In many places, it's not so easy to get a test that easily and at an affordable price. But then again, I could be imagining things. And I don't have a money tree at home.

You are really vociferous in your dislike of the cost of living in Japan

I'm allowed to voice my opinion. I don't have to shut up and take everything on the chin just because I'm a 'guest' in Japan. Yes, I should be leaving, but I actually enjoying my job here. And I will criticize my own country and other countries if need be.

Saddens me that so many of you are wishing your days away waiting for something bad to happen here.in Japan.

Who on earth is waiting for something bad to happen here? I have not read one single comment from any poster here to suggest that.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Correct @pukey2 - You do not have to pay any test money to enter Japan. The test is administered free at the airport on arrival. What did you think I was referring to?

Funerals - Yes, its very sad we have to miss them. As for weddings? Come on - These can be celebrated at another more suitable time. We all have a lot to worry about right now! Sorry if I am not quite as emotional as you, just more practical.

As for people not wishing ill here, that is total rubbish as you well know.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites