MEXICO CITY, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Mexico City's international airport will set up facilities to perform COVID-19 tests to help passengers who need to show they are free of the virus to enter other countries, the government said on Sunday.

The Benito Juarez International Airport will work with airlines to install the testing labs, which would be outside the terminals, the government said in a statement. Other areas could also be used for testing if necessary, it added.

Mexican health regulator COFEPRIS has approved the measure.

An increasing number of countries, including the United States, Canada and many in Europe, have announced that travelers arriving by plane will require recent negative COVID-19 test results to enter their territory.

(Reporting by Abraham Gonzalez; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)