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Pre-departure testing 'must be short-term emergency measure only'

Government
James Chapple
8 January 2021

A new pre-departure testing requirement for arrivals into England and Scotland, which is likely to be adopted in Wales and Northern Ireland too, "must be a short-term emergency measure only", the trade body representing UK registered airlines has said.

Manchester said volumes had risen slightly since the traffic light system review on 4 August but remain "significantly" below pre-pandemic levels

Transport secretary Grant Shapps outlined the new measures on Friday (8 January), which will come into force next week.

It will require those travelling to the UK from any destination to provide evidence of a pre-travel negative Covid test taken up to 72 hours prior to departure.


The new rules will apply to those arriving from travel corridor destinations; those arriving from non-travel corridor destinations will still have to self-isolate for 10 days upon their arrival, even if their Covid test status is negative.