Covid-19: Cheaper travel tests to start on 24 October in the UK

New rules for travellers returning to England to perform lateral flow tests instead of more expensive PCR tests will come into force on October 24.

The government says the changes will take effect over time for families returning from semi-free breaks.

Fully vaccinated passengers are asked to upload photos of their Covid-19 tests for review.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it would make travel more comfortable and easier.

The travel industry has said it is vital to change the covid travel tests in time for the half-time holiday.

Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, said: “This is great news, and we are delighted to get it over the line in the crucial half-time period, which will be a massive relief for families who are desperate to leave this autumn to come. ”

Along with last week’s reduction in the travel itinerary and the recognition of vaccines given in more countries, the change is “a major step ahead that will help the urgently required improvement of our sector,” he stated.

The changes come as the UK is still registering an increased number of Covid -19 infections and deaths in Western Europe, with a further 45,066 cases recorded on Thursday – the largest number since the end of July. A further 157 deaths were also recorded.

Travel policy has been rejected, but Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have previously aligned themselves with policy in England, citing common border practices.

But Wales criticizes the replacement of PCR tests, often described as the gold standard for covid tests, with lateral current tests, saying that along with other relaxed measures, the risk “significantly increases” that new variants come into the country.

Under the existing system, PCR tests performed on day two after returning to England can cost around £ 75 per person.

When the changes take effect, anyone who gets a positive result from their lateral flow test will be required to quarantine and undergo a free PCR test to confirm it.

Travellers arriving in the UK on October 24 can order their October 22 lateral flow tests when a list of approved providers is published on the government’s official websites.

NHS tests and trace tests – which can be ordered free of charge – cannot be used for international travel, the government said.

Mr Shapps said: “Taking expensive mandatory PCR tests will strengthen the travel industry and is a big step forward in normalizing international travel and encouraging people to book holidays with confidence.”