Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Monday morning (29 November), Lo Bue-Said claimed the NHS can provide a faster turnaround time for results. 

Under new rules issued by prime minister Boris Johnson on Saturday (27 November), those arriving back in the UK from 4am Tuesday (30 November) will have to take a PCR test on or before day two. They will also have to self-isolate while they await the results.

"The industry can’t control [the isolation period]," Lo Bue-Said added. "One thing we really are keen for the government to consider over the next three weeks, while they’re reviewing this, is to enable travellers to use the NHS tests.

"Firstly because of the turnaround time, but we also know that the NHS capacity to undertake genomic sequencing, which the government are really keen to track, is much better than the private test providers."

Lo Bue-Said said she "couldn’t stress enough how challenging the last 20 months" have been for the travel sector.

"Things were looking better, there were plans in place for Christmas and new year, and we were approaching a really busy time for travel.

"We are trying to remain hopeful, and hoping the next three weeks will enable us to get the virus under control, show the vaccine programme has really worked, and help consumers think about those plans over the next couple of months."