Oakland Airport First To Sell COVID-19 Tests From Vending Machines

Travelers passing through Oakland International Airport will now be able to take a COVID-19 test at vending machines, officials said.

The self-administered kits are available for around $ 150 at contactless kiosks at each terminal, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Oakland is the first U.S. airport to sell coronavirus tests from vending machines, officials said.

“We realized that travelers are going through a difficult time right now, especially as we are all navigating this COVID pandemic,” airport spokesman Roberto Bernardo told the newspaper. “We wanted to give travelers another test option.”

Bernardo said the kits are for travelers returning to Oakland, rather than those flying to a destination that requires a negative test on arrival.

The kits require travelers to collect a saliva sample and then mail it in for analysis, the outlet reported. Results are expected on an app on their phone within 48 hours of receiving the shipment.