TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa International Airport will soon offer COVID-19 testing for passengers. Officials announced the initiative Monday morning.

It’s the first airport in the country to do so.

TPA is partnering with BayCare to provide the tests.

There will be two types of tests - the swab and rapid antigen. The antigen test, which produces results in 15 minutes and is most accurate within five days of the onset of symptoms, offers an added layer of same-day reassurance for travelers arriving at or departing TPA.

"We think this is going to be a very successful trial,” said the airport’s Joe Lopano. “This is just a test but if it’s successful, and we think it will be, we’ll continue it and we’ll grow it and we’ll build it into something more." 

The testing is voluntary.

As part of an initial trial period, according to TPA, tests will be administered from October 1 through October 31 in the main terminal. They will be offered seven days a week on a walk-in basis from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

All ticketed passengers who are flying, or can prove they've flown within the prior three days, are eligible.

The PCR COVID-19 swab test costs $125.

The antigen test costs $57.

"We’re going to build confidence on behalf of the traveling public by giving them an opportunity to have a test done right here at the airport before they get on a flight," Lopano said. "This is the only airport in the whole country that is doing these tests…We hope others will follow. Testing is the key to getting people back to travel."

The testing will be offered in the main terminal, on a walk-in basis, starting October 1.

"I believe this is going to allow people to travel to see loved ones," said Baycare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nishant Anand.

"It’s going to allow other passengers to feel safe if they’re traveling. It’s going to allow them to know that people around them have had some sort of screening test done."