PCR testing

A statement by The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has not gone down well with the travel industry. BTA CEO Clive Wratten called it “a small step”.

The cost of NHS PCR coronavirus tests for international travel are being reduced from £88 to £68 each.  The test must be taken on or before day two after the traveller arrives in England.

People who have not had both doses of the coronavirus vaccine and are returning from amber list countries will also see the price of the two tests they need fall from £170 to £136.

The price reduction does not affect arrivals from red list countries, or if they purchase a test from a private provider, the Department of Health and Social Care said.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced a "rapid internal review" of prices charged by government-approved companies after claims holidaymakers are being exploited over private testing.

"I've ordered my department to urgently review the list of private providers on gov.uk to ensure pricing is clearer and transparent," he said on Saturday.

"Any provider found to be misleading the public will be kicked off.

www.gov.uk/find-travel-test-provider

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OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

David Wilson, United Kingdom

Agree wholly with Graham, but I do feel a lateral flow test is sufficient rather than the expensive PCR tests.

Barry Graham, United States

I agree, testing for vaccinated needs to end. I just come over for 3 days and had to do two tests on the same day including a day 2 test that I won't arrive until after the end of my trip. I thought about a family vacation but it's not practical, it would add hundreds of dollars to the cost of the trip, as well as wasted time.

Graham Greenwood, United Kingdom

Testing is still essential for those fully vaccinated, if fully vaccinated you can still get covid and spread it. Vaccination just reduces the effects of symptoms and any need for hospitalisation.

Mike Pickup, United Kingdom

I don't see travel returning to anywhere near normal until testing for the fully vaccinated is abolished. It's not just the cost that's putting peole off, but the risks and losses associated with a positive result, eithe pre-departure or pre-return.

Sally Smile, London

I took my family to Greece on easyJet and finished up paying more per person for the PCR’s than the flights. Generally I have supported the Government but not on this one. And I was also on Celebrity for a cruise. No charge for a PCR!