Albuquerque Sunport and Southwest Labs Offer COVID-19 Testing

The City of Albuquerque and Southwest Labs have partnered to provide COVID-19 testing services at the Albuquerque International Sunport. Beginning this week, travelers will have the option to test while making their way through the Sunport.

A negative test result does not permit visitors to forgo self-quarantine as outlined in the State of New Mexico’s public health order. Travelers will have the option to purchase an Antigen (rapid) test or a PCR test. The PCR test is considered the “gold standard” for COVID-19 testing. The testing site, located on the east end of the ticketing level, will be available to travelers for walk-in services daily beginning at 5:00 a.m. Testing may be expanded to the general public in the future.

“While testing does not eliminate risk, we are happy to offer this convenient option to travelers making their way through the Sunport this holiday season,” said Nyika Allen, Director of Aviation for the City of Albuquerque. “This partnership allows us to help those who do decide to travel do so with an additional layer of caution.”

Southwest Labs is an independent clinical laboratory providing COVID-19 testing for individuals, healthcare providers, and businesses. Test results are provided directly to the patient via e-mail or through a secure health app and to the appropriate government agencies, including the New Mexico Department of Health.

“Southwest Labs is very excited for the opportunity to assist the Albuquerque Sunport in delivering COVID-19 testing for travelers in their facility. Alongside proper behaviors like masks, hand washing, and social distancing, quality laboratory testing is one of the most important tools we have to combat this pandemic,” said Evan Baldwin, M.D., Medical Director at Southwest Labs. “Southwest Labs will now be able to deliver this tool directly where travelers pass into and out of our State, generating actionable data for both the individuals being tested and the State managing its pandemic response.”

While traffic through the Sunport is still down about 75% from this time last year, departing passengers are encouraged to arrive at least two hours prior to departure to allow ample time for testing.

Departing travelers are encouraged to check with the appropriate agency at their destination, as proof of a negative test may waive some restrictions upon arrival.  

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Emergencies challenge the delivery and management of emergency public information, warning and emergency protective action notifications. The Albuquerque Joint Information Center (JIC) functions as a coordinated Albuquerque Metro Area public information system that will gather and analyze data related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in New Mexico and serve as a source of accurate and comprehensive information.

Southwest Labs is a local full-reference laboratory specializing in toxicology, blood, and wellness testing. Southwest Labs provides laboratory services to its network of providers, hospitals, and other health care organizations. Southwest Labs also offers a robust direct-to-consumer platform where individuals can get all routine and wellness laboratory testingwithout a doctor’s order.