The tourism industry has welcomed news that most travellers arriving from non-red list countries can now use lateral flow tests on or before their arrival in England.
According to the Department for Health and Social Care, fully vaccinated passengers arriving in England from countries not on the UK’s red list can now take a significantly cheaper lateral flow test instead of a PCR.
Here’s what tourism providers need to know.
What are the new rules?
The test should be taken on the day of arrival in England or at the very latest on the second day.
Lateral flow tests for international travel purposes must be booked online through the private providers listed on GOV.UK. A photo of the test result should be sent to the relevant provider. Passengers who do not complete a test could be fined £1,000.
Passengers who return a positive test result will be asked to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test at no additional cost.
Commenting on the new regulations – which came into force on 24 October 2021 – the Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “This huge boost to the travel industry and the public will make it easier and cheaper for people to book holidays and travel abroad, and it is it is because of our incredible vaccine programme that this is possible.”
Move welcomed by tourism industry
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said the decision will make overseas holidays more accessible.
“It is welcome that PCR tests will be replaced by lateral flows for fully vaccinated travellers from 24 October– in time for those returning from school half term holidays in England. Costly tests have been a huge barrier to people travelling so we hope this will help make overseas holidays much more accessible,” said Luke Petherbridge, Director of Public Affairs.
“Brits are desperate to catch up on their much-loved and much-missed foreign trips – with 46 per cent of people looking to take a winter holiday. With the relaxed travel restrictions and majority of destinations open for travel, now is the best in a long time to book a overseas holiday.”
Advice against all but essential travel lifted for 51 countries
Earlier this month, it was also revealed that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will lift its advice against all but essential travel for a further 51 countries and territories.
This includes Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Thailand, and the Seychelles.
Commenting on the move, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “These updates make travel abroad easier – boosting trade, tourism and reuniting friends and families. I am delighted that the safe reopening of travel allows people to exercise personal responsibility and visit more destinations across the globe.”
For help and advice with related matters, please get in touch with our tourism team today.
