Sajid Javid wants holidaymakers to film themselves taking a coronavirus test after returning to the UK, it was reported last night. The Government is planning to replace the requirement for double-vaccinated travellers to take a PCR test on their return to Britain with a much cheaper lateral flow swab.
But the Health Secretary is said to be concerned that those taking the tests could lie about the results. He is proposing travellers do their lateral flow test on video calls supervised by a health adviser from a private firm, The Times reported.
This is similar to the way some pre-departure tests which were scrapped last weekend were conducted. No date has been set for the change but there is speculation among travel industry leaders that it will be around October 25, the start of half term for many families.
Fully vaccinated residents – and unvaccinated under 18s – from more than 50 countries and territories can now enter the UK without needing to complete a pre-departure lateral flow test.
Just a single day-two post-arrival test will now be needed. Under 11s were already exempt from pre-departure testing.
People arriving from a red tier destination will still be required to spend 11 nights at a quarantine hotel costing £2,285 for solo travellers.