The return of pre-departure antigen Covid testing will be introduced from 0400 on Tuesday.

The tests are similar to those required over the summer. They must be taken up to 48 hours before arrival in the UK.

The requirement to then quarantine when arriving in the UK and then taking a test before Day 2 of arrival remains.

The news came as a shock, since on Thursday the UK Transport Secretary had ruled out such a move, saying it would ‘kill travel’.

Visitors to Britain won’t have to take pre-departure Covid tests, says Grant Shapps

British Airways’ Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle said:

“The blanket re-introduction of testing to enter the UK, on top of the current regime of isolation and PCR testing on arrival is completely out of step with the rest of the world, with every other country taking a measured approach based on the science. Our customers will now be faced with uncertainty and chaos and yet again this a devasting blow for everyone who works in the travel industry.”

Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association (BTA), says:

“The introduction of pre-departure testing with little warning is a hammer blow to the business travel industry. It directly contradicts the Transport Secretary’s announcement this week. Public safety is a priority, but, businesses will fail, travellers will be stranded and livelihoods devastated by the lack of coherent plans from Government.”

“Today, travel as a whole is the only sector currently facing operating restrictions in the UK, and this must be acknowledged, and support provided by the Government. Above all, the Government must talk to the industry and give us an exit plan that ensures the survival of our sector.”

An spokesperson for ABTA – The Travel Association of Travel Agents said:

“The re-introduction of pre-departure tests will be a huge blow to travellers and an already devastated travel industry, which has been the hardest hit sector throughout the crisis and which is now fast approaching the key booking season for next summer.”

“While we have always been clear that public health must be the priority at this time, the Government must now step up to save jobs and businesses.”

“The industry needs financial support, which recognises these measures will significantly weaken demand and the Chancellor must now consider the reintroduction of furlough for travel industry  to avoid further job losses.”

“Travellers must also be supported with measures taken to offset the cost of these additional tests by reducing the cost of PCR testing – including a price cap and the removal of VAT. It’s vitally important this decision is reversed as quickly as possible, in line with scientific and medical advice, as it is simply not possible for the travel industry to recover properly while this huge barrier to consumer confidence is in place.“