As COVID-19 spread in 2020, sports fixtures soon became one of the most missed aspects of “life as usual.” However, steps are now in place to reintroduce professional sports back into our lives. Elite sport is now taking place in most countries, although usually in empty stadiums, with the help of testing and ‘bubbles.’

Even with no crowds, however, the businesses and teams involved in sporting events require constant COVID-19 testing vigilance. A single positive coronavirus diagnosis can lock down an entire sports team and its supporting staff.

In an industry as diverse and mobile as professional sport, a robust testing solution is fundamental. Unilabs has worked with a variety of sporting organisations to provide testing regimens that have kept them running smoothly through the pandemic.

COVID-19 and Sport – Which Test Is Best?

Unilabs COVID-19 PCR tests are ideal for sporting teams, as they diagnoses current infections (even in individuals who are not displaying any symptoms); with our on-site or remote PCR testing support, results can be swiftly reported in as little as 70 minutes, keeping COVID-19 out of the workplace and allowing the game to continue. Read more about PCR testing here.

New sampling techniques like Saliva PCR testing allow teams to enjoy a more comfortable solution than the traditional nose swab.

It is essential for sporting teams to conduct a regular testing regimen and have contingencies for additional testing in the event that a staff member or athlete tests positive.

COVID-19 Sports Testing – How To Win

The many sporting institutions Unilabs has supported with thorough COVID-19 testing include Portugal’s football Liga, the Slovak Volleyball and Beach Volleyball teams, and some of the most important cycling events in France.

To keep these events running, mass COVID-19 sports testing has been required.

In order for Portugal’s Liga football league to reopen in June, Unilabs rolled out a vast-scale testing programme in two waves. It was crucial to have comprehensive and confidential coronavirus testing of all parties involved, meaning 13,000 tests were processed pre-training; then 72 hours and 24 hours before every game played. All results were anonymized, with reports sent to each of the following: Football club Medical Department, League Association & Healthcare State Agency.

For more information on effective COVID-19 sports testing, or to discuss how we can help your sporting team or organisation stay competitive through the Coronavirus pandemic, contact us.

In the field of international travel, Unilabs can support:

1. Frequent-flying individuals and organisations in need of prompt clearance to travel

2. Travel-focused companies in need of a reliable diagnostic partner to provide testing services at scale for their customers

1. Rapid COVID-19 Fit to Fly Testing For Travellers

Many airlines now require passengers to take a COVID-19 test, to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 on aircraft. Some regions require proof or certification of negative COVID-19 status before allowing people into or out of the country.

With rules and guidelines varying greatly from country to country, the safest approach is to have recent proof you are COVID-19 negative before you get to the airport.

Unilabs Fit To Fly is here to help companies looking to navigate this challenging environment for their travelling employees.

What is a COVID-19 Fit to Fly test?

Our COVID-19 Fit to Fly test is a simple PCR test, involving a swab of your nose and throat. You can read more about PCR testing here.

PCR tests identify whether a person is currently infected with coronavirus. You will of course not be able to fly if you are infected with coronavirus.

When Should you Take a Fit to Fly test?

With COVID-19 testing and travel, timing is everything. It is of course possible to book a test too late, but you can also be too early; most EU member states require the sample for the test to be taken 72 hours before departure, but there are instances where this can be less than 24 hours, or otherwise when travelling further afield. Some even require the report to be issued within 48 hours after arrival at the destination. Therefore, it is critical that you check both the requirements locally and those at your destination in advance.

We work as quickly as we can to deliver results in time for you to fly, but it’s important you research the requirements of your specific journey. Your airline or travel agent can provide the most recent travel rules and advice.

Unilabs PCR testing typically requires 24-48 hours between collection of sample and delivery of your test results via email, app and digital. Contact our team to discuss the most suitable timeframes for your Fit to Fly test.

2. Unilabs Protect^TM for Travel for Travel-Focused Companies and Organisations

Managing the burden of COVID-19 testing is new territory for most travel-focused companies. Unilabs is here to help you take on this new element of your service.

Clients of our Unilabs Protect for Travel programme can offer their travelling customers access to our testing centres throughout Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. We guarantee results in under 48 hours from sample taking.

As an example, our Passenger Screening Program with the United Arab Emirates allows airline passengers flying to the UAE to provide the required proof that they are COVID-19 free. Travellers can contact our customer service teams and book an appointment at a convenient location and time. We receive customers during working hours at over 270 Unilabs COVID-19 collection units strategically located in big European cities including London, Paris, Madrid, Geneva, Zürich and Amsterdam.

We guarantee logistics between our over 270 collection units to our accredited labs throughout Europe. Our turnaround-time is guaranteed 48 hours from the moment of collection. This allows all travellers to plan their travels safely.

For more information on the COVID-19 tests we provide to travellers and travel-focused businesses, contact us today.

Coronavirus has massively impacted our working world. Many office-based businesses have been forced to cope with the sudden change to remote working, and others – for example manufacturing - have been required to dramatically adapt their on-site procedures to conform to safety standards

One thing is certain; business wants to return to a greater degree of ‘normality’. This is where effective COVID-19 testing programmes in the workplace can make all the difference.

Getting Back to Normal

Now is the perfect time to set your business on the path to your new normal. As COVID is here to stay for a while longer, Unilabs can accompany you in creating a safe working environment that might require intermittent testing for as long as it is necessary. Businesses that could particularly benefit from scheduled COVID-19 testing include:

• as part of certain ‘return to work’ protocols
• those with staff working in close proximity / confined spaces
• those dependent on travel
• those where face-to-face meetings and collaboration are a must

Whatever the circumstances of your businesses, comprehensive COVID-19 testing is vital to restoring the performance of your operation.

Unilabs Offers A Range of COVID-19 Testing Options for Businesses

Unilabs recognises every business is different and will have different testing requirements. We have structured our testing services for businesses with flexibility in mind, with approaches tailored to your organisation’s specific needs.

Unilabs can provide your business with:

• precautionary, scheduled COVID-19 testing for some or all staff, regardless of exposure or symptom staging
• testing focused on people with confirmed symptoms of coronavirus
• antibody testing to determine past exposure and potential immunity to the virus across your workforce*

We are also flexible in how the testing is administered:

• Unilabs to your work: our dedicated mobile teams can set up portable testing centres at your premises, using either mobile teams, walk-thru or drive-thru models
• Unilabs to your home: in some locations we offer home-testing delivery
• You to Unilabs: we have a network of testing centres that are conveniently located and can welcome your employees

Whichever approach you take, scheduled testing makes a big difference to your operational efficiency. Testing ensures people who have the virus, even those without symptoms, will test positive and can self-isolate quickly. COVID-19 “return to work” tests can also ensure those returning to work have fully cleared the virus before re-joining the workplace.

If you think your organisation would benefit from Unilabs COVID-19 testing for business, then get in touch today to speak with one of our experts.

Great for Employee Wellbeing

In these challenging times, we understand the health and wellbeing of your employees is important to you, and that COVID-19 remains a major concern to many people.

COVID-19 testing in the workplace can help you ease anxieties, reassuring employees and promoting safer workplaces. Testing is there to help support your team’s physical and mental wellbeing.

*N.B. Data for how antibody levels confer immunity to COVID-re-infection is still pending.

A member of our team will contact you shortly.