Medellin-based Healtix Home IPS and Bogota-based WTA Latam IPS jointly announced January 29 the start-up of Covid-19 testing services at Medellin’s José María Córdova (JMC) international airport in Rionegro.

“From today, our airport will have a laboratory to carry out Covid-19 detection tests,” according to a bulletin from JMC. “This service will be provided by WTA Latam IPS and Healtix Home IPS.”

All international passengers arriving to or leaving from Colombia are now required to pass a Covid-19 test within 96 hours of flights to-or-from most destinations including North America, Europe and much of Latin America.

Many nations (including Colombia) currently accept either the relatively rapid-result (but less accurate) antigen test (results in 20 to 40 minutes) or else the more-accurate but lengthier PCR test (24 to 36 hours for results). Passengers unable to get a Covid-19 test before boarding a flight to Colombia must get this test upon arrival and face quarantine as well.

The antigen test here at JMC is priced at COP$80,000 (US$22) while the PCR test costs COP$230,000 (US$64.50), according to the companies involved.

Colombia’s medical-services regulator Invima has certified both of these tests, according to JMC.