Delta says it is testing “nearly 100 per cent” of its workforce for Covid-19 by the end of the month as part of its employee testing programme.

The programme is one of a series of new safety measures the airline has added amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Widespread, proactive testing is one of the best ways to slow the spread, especially since the virus can be spread by people who don’t have any symptoms,” reads a statement from the US carrier.

Delta says half of its active employees have been tested so far. The airline will be testing a total of 75,000 employees.

Delta recently launched onsite testing in cities with large employee populations including Atlanta, Minneapolis and New York, and recently extended an at-home testing option to all US employees, through which Quest Diagnostics, an American clinical laboratory, will send self-collection kits directly to employees upon request, according to the airline.

Employees who test positive for Covid-19 will be required to isolate at home for a minimum of 10 days, says the airline.

Employees who have been exposed to others with Covid-19 are required to remain out of the workplace for 14 days from the date of exposure.

Delta adds that it is also offering employees the option of being tested for Covid-19 antibodies at all of its “major US hubs” and at “more than 2,000” Quest Diagnostic locations nationwide, free of charge.

delta.com/