Today the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, and XpresSpa's new brand XpresCheck launched the first COVID-19 screening and testing location in a U.S. airport. The pilot program is now open to all JFK terminal employees, airline employees, and airport workers. The new XpresCheck has the capacity to screen up to 500 employees per day and will ensure that JFK workers have convenient access to testing at the airport.
The XpresCheck at JFK is a new modular site constructed in the Arrivals Hall at Terminal 4. The site holds nine separate testing rooms and provides the ability to conduct both COVID-19 testing as well as antibody testing. These services will be available to all airport employees, including airline employees, contractors and workers, concessionaires and their employees, TSA officers, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. Both antibody testing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing are available on-site, and the tests are sent to outside laboratories. All insurance plans are accepted outside of network and all information will remain private and HIPAA compliant.
'The Port Authority is pleased to open the nation's first COVID-19 and antibody testing facility for employees at JFK International Airport with JFTIAT and XpresSpa,' said Kevin O'Toole, Port Authority Chairman. 'The agency will continue to enhance safety at its facilities by piloting the new technologies, programs, and policies needed to manage the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.'
'Safety and security are the Port Authority's top priorities, and opening the new XpresCheck COVID-19 pilot program builds on measures the agency has taken to protect travelers and airport workers across the region,' said Rick Cotton, Port Authority Executive Director. 'Today's announcement is an important addition to our commitment to providing a safe facility for workers and travelers alike.'
'At JFKIAT, we have always looked for ways to better serve our employees, passengers, and front-line airport workers at Terminal 4, and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring a safe environment is more important than ever before,' said Roel Huinink, President and CEO of JFKIAT. 'We are very pleased to partner with XpresSpa and the Port Authority to launch the first air terminal testing site in the U.S.'
'We are thrilled to launch our first pilot testing site at JFK Terminal 4, and we are hopeful that this will benefit airport workers,' said Doug Satzman, XpresSpa CEO. 'Together with JFKIAT and the Port Authority, we will support the safety and health of front-line airport workers and travelers as New York's recovery plan takes form.'
To maintain a safe environment for travelers and airport workers, the wearing of face coverings is required at all Port Authority airports. In addition, the agency has limited terminal access to ticketed passengers, employees and those with airport business. At Port Authority airports, terminal operators have increased the frequency of cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting in all areas of the terminal including touchpoints such as escalator rails, elevator buttons, seating, iPads, and payment systems. Plexiglass shields have been positioned strategically throughout our facilities including but not limited to airport check-in counters, TSA security checkpoints, Customs and Border Protection, retail, food and beverage concessions, AirTrain, Welcome Centers, Taxi stands and other high traffic areas. Visual cues are posted in the airport to remind everyone to maintain a safe distance. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the airport. Gloves, hand sanitizer and face coverings are available for passenger purchase at terminal shops. Open concessions have contactless take-out available.
T4 at JFK International Airport is one of the most active air terminals in the New York area, serving 33 international and domestic airlines with an annual passenger volume of more than 21 million travelers in 2019. From the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, JFKIAT worked with the Port Authority to take immediate action and implemented key response initiatives focused on health, hygiene, safety and creating a contactless journey for employees and passengers. JFKIAT has also taken steps to prepare for a 'new normal' as the aviation industry enters a post-COVID-19 landscape by collaborating closely with business and government agency partners to keep the terminal safe and secure, while winning back customer confidence as flights begin to resume.
The Port Authority reminds travelers at its airports:
A face covering is required for any person entering all airport areas, including all associated facilities including Airport Buses and the AirTrain. For more information on how to wear a face covering visit CDC.gov.
Only ticketed passengers are allowed entry to the terminals with the exception of those accompanying passengers that require special assistance. Only enter terminals if you are a ticketed passenger, as all others will be restricted unless you require special assistance.
Please keep some distance between your party and other travelers whenever possible. Measures have been taken where possible to increase geographic spacing between patrons in queuing, waiting and dining areas. Examples include limiting seating, ticketing and check in counters, self-service kiosks, staffing every other counter.
Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds and use hand sanitizer provided throughout the terminal to protect yourself and reduce the spread.
If you can, check in from home and use touchless technology for payments in retail and food and beverage concessions where possible.
Contact:
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
212-435-7777
For more information, please visit http://www.panynj.gov.
XWELL, INC. 
