GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. — The Gerald R. Ford airport is offering COVID testing on site. They're seeing an increase in demand as we get closer to Christmas.
Monday was their busiest day since they opened about 10 days ago, with 200 cars going through the line. The site is in the middle of the empty economy parking lot.
“It’s been busy, it’s been steady,” the Director of Commercial Development for the Ford Airport Stephen Clark said.
It's a mix of people, from those returning or heading out of town, and people getting some piece of mind for the holidays.
“It’s less than five minutes through the tent, you’ll have your results directly through your portal you signed up for when you registered, and then you’re on your way.”
Lauren Hetzel, one of the co-founders of TACKL, the organization running the tests, says the more people who can be tested...the better.
“It’s exciting to see that people are, that there is still travel, but people are still wanting to take the correct precautions. People are very cognizant in the fact that they are staying safe,” Lauren Hetzel said.
She says that when they find the option is there, people are wanting and willing to be cautious.
“There is that peace of mind, but also making sure, that they’ve been traveling, and that they’re still healthy. So really taking a proactive approach to their health to make sure other people around them are also aware,” Hetzel said.
Having the testing site available for not just people traveling is a good use of their space, and their resources, as far as Stephen Clark with the Ford Airport is concerned.
“How can we help? You know? Obviously, if you can’t travel right now, how can we still help? We’re a critical part of this community,” Clark said.
The testing site is open every day from 4am to 8pm. It's not free and they do not accept insurance. A rapid test costs $75, a PCR test costs $125, and it's $160 for both tests.
