From 4am Tuesday (7 December), travellers will need to take either an antigen or PCR test up to 48 hours before departing for the UK. The move comes amid increased concern over the Omicron variant.
After the announcement, an Abta spokesperson said the re-introduction of pre-departure testing "will be a huge blow to travellers and an already devastated travel industry", which, according to the association, has been the "hardest hit" sector throughout the pandemic.
"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," they continued.
