Government to allow airport Covid tests on arrival
Previously ministers had ruled out the use of a test on arrival to allow a traveller to avoid quarantine
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Your support makes all the difference.After months of dismissing Covid tests on arrival at UK airports as pointless, the government now says they will be officially recognised.
While many other countries have required incoming travellers to be tested for coronavirus, UK ministers have insisted airport testing for arriving travellers would serve no purpose in reducing the risk of importing infections while allowing international journeys.
But from today tests on arrival are acceptable as part of the overall testing procedure.
All non-essential travel within and beyond the United Kingdom is currently illegal, but UK residents are allowed to return home – though they have to comply with stringent travel restrictions, including 10 days of self-isolation.
Anyone travelling to the UK must take a Covid test in the 72 hours before departure and then two more on arrival.
Up to now, the two UK tests were provided by the NHS at a cost of £210, and were required on days two and eight after the arrival date, which is defined as day zero.
But now private providers are being enlisted, and “day zero” tests at the airport are now accepted instead of day two.
Collinson, which has installed testing facilities at a number of UK airports, says it has been accredited to provide tests on arrival.
The second test on day eight can be undertaken at any of the firm’s locations – including Heathrow, Manchester, Stansted, London City, Luton and East Midlands airports, and the O2 Arena in east London.
Both tests are RT-PCR, as used by the NHS, but the cost is six per cent lower at £198.
The company intends to compare arrival tests with those taken on day eight to see if the data supports easing of current restrictions.
David Evans, joint chief executive at Collinson, said: “This green light today makes us the only provider who can offer testing as soon as the passenger arrives at the airport.”
Previously ministers had ruled out the use of a test on arrival to allow a traveller to avoid quarantine.
When asked about airport tests in September, Boris Johnson said: “Ninety-three per cent of the time you could have a real false sense of security, a false sense of confidence when you arrive and take a test.”
He based the claim on an interpretation of a theoretical study carried out in June 2020.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “Previously, NHS Test and Trace provided all tests for international arrivals. From today, travellers can now also choose to book their testing package from a range of private testing providers.”
The change took place as Heathrow airport, the UK’s main gateway, recorded its lowest monthly passenger figures since 1966.
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