Govt pledges to cut Covid testing costs for leisure travellers

A keenly awaited framework from the Global Travel Taskforce on the resumption of overseas travel from 17 May “at the earliest” was unveiled on Friday (9 April).

In its report to the government, the taskforce has committed to work with the travel industry and private testing sector to reduce the price of testing.

The taskforce said it would look to reduce the cost to travellers of any mandatory testing upon their return home, and examine the potential for government to provide pre-departure tests.

Testing will be “an essential part” of safely reopening international travel, the taskforce said, underpinning a large proportion of its plans for the restart.