About 1 hour from getting off the plane to finding out the result
Post-Arrival Covid-19 Test at Haneda Airport
Post-Arrival Covid-19 Test at Haneda Airport
I had a chance to take a JAL flight to Haneda from Honolulu this month and had to go through post-arrival covid-19 testing process at Haneda airport.
The flight occupancy was about 60-70% and had empty seats around me. I got a window seat. Wearing a face cover is a “MUST”. I also put on a face shield as soon as I got to Honolulu airport. I kept it on all the way to Haneda.
Finally we landed but need to stay at where you were until they notify you to get off the plane.
Post-Arrival Covid-19 Testing Process
Now walk a little after getting off and line up in this area.
I forgot to take a picture on board, but cabin attendants pass out self-quarantine document and you need to fill it out before getting off.
In fact, I forgot a pen (I usually carry it in my bag) and had to borrow from a JAL CA.
Take a sample
No Photo zone. This is the post-arrival testing area. I got a test kit here and collected a sample (saliva) in an area a little further away. You need to take a sample of about the first joint of the index finger. If you have difficulty producing saliva, let staff know that you would like to use a sample collected from the back of your nose.
After collecting the sample, drop it off and walk for a while to the test result waiting area.
Wait for result
Now wait for the test results to come out.
The result will be shown on the monitor below, with the number assigned to your test kit.
When your number is displayed, go to the central test result announcement counter. If it came out negative, take the elevator down to the immigration.
The negative result will have (-) as shown below. If you are tested positive, staff will take you to the area behind the counter. Follow their instructions.
After the immigration process, move on to the baggage claim area. In my case, JAL put each passenger’s luggage on the cart as shown in the picture below. I was so impressed by their kind gesture.
Do not use public transporation
Even you are negative, you are not allowed to use public transportation from Japanese airports. Japanese government still has strict rules for those who arrive from overseas especially countries with alert level 3 or over.
Car rental
So I rented a car that I had reserved in advance. After checking in at the Nippon Rent-a-car reception desk just outside the arrival gate, I went down to the 1st floor, and took the shuttle bus to the rental car shop near the airport.
This is a series of steps.
It took about an hour from getting off the plane to getting the results. Before it took longer. However, it depends on the situation. You can see the current approximate time to get test result at Haneda, Narita and Kansai airports.
