Travellers have been left baffled by government advice about when to take pre-departure tests, while a test firm insider suggests results are easy to fake.

Meanwhile, there is renewed optimism among investors about travel firms due to Omicron’s apparently less severe impact.

Here are the key headlines affecting travel on Tuesday 7 December.

New Covid travel rules come into force

People travelling to the UK must now take a Covid test before their journey, as new travel rules to limit the spread of the Omicron variant take effect. All travellers aged 12 and over will have to show proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow test - even if they are fully vaccinated - before setting off. It must be taken no more than 48 hours before departure for the UK and private test providers must be used. (BBC News)

Call for clarity over Covid test rules

British travellers raged at baffling government ’guidance’ about when pre-flight Covid tests must be taken - with contradictory statements about whether it is two days before or not more than 48 hours from take-off. Differing government publications say the test must be taken ’no earlier than 48 hours before’, ’in the two days before’ and even ’two days before’ travel. (The Daily Mail)

‘Broken’ PCR system accepts false codes, allowing travel without testing

Officials would ‘never know’ if a traveller submitted a fake code on their passenger locator form as there is no way to check that it is valid, according to a test firm insider. The insider claimed passengers do not even need to enter a code issued by a provider to avoid taking a test – and any combination of five letters and seven numbers will be accepted. (The i)

Travel stocks soar over Omicron optimism

Reports suggesting the new Covid strain may only lead to mild symptoms sent shares in travel firms and airlines soaring after a week of selloffs. IAG topped the biggest risers list, up 8% to 132.34p. Intercontinental Hotels rose 157p at 4,701p; Premier Inn owner Whitbread was up 93p at 2,976p and easyJet was up 27.8p at 556p. (Evening Standard)

Travel stock prices rise in Australia

Travel stocks led a rally in Australian equities on Tuesday after investors reacted to headlines that the new Omicron variant might be less severe than feared. Shares in Qantas gained as much as 5%, while Flight Centre and Corporate Travel Management both rose more than 6%. (Financial Times)

Fears over Covid booster programme

The booster rollout vaccinated fewer people over the weekend than it did before ministers promised to put it “on steroids”, figures showed on Monday. The number of third jabs administered in England was lower last weekend than the previous one, when the prime minister called for the programme to be accelerated, leading to fears of further restrictions at Christmas. (The Telegraph)

‘No Plan B before Christmas’

Ministers will not trigger the Covid-19 “plan B” before Christmas solely in response to rising UK cases of the Omicron variant despite confirmation the new strain is spreading. Sajid Javid told MPs on Monday some of the 336 people infected with Omicron in Britain caught it in this country, rather than importing it from abroad. (The i)