Boris Johnson told parliament on Wednesday (19 January): “We are certainly reviewing the testing arrangements for travel.” He said health secretary Sajid Javid would clarify the situation soon.
Johnson was answering a question from former prime minister Theresa May, who reminded Johnson he had made no mention of travel in his statement on Covid restrictions today.
“Many of my constituents work in the aviation sector," said May. "I welcome the announcement he has made about Plan B restrictions today, but I note he made no reference to the tests that are still required for people coming into England.
“If we are going to learn to live with Covid, we need to facilitate travel, so will he take this opportunity to announce that when Plan B restrictions are removed next week, the government will also make it clear that there will be no test requirements for anybody entering England who is fully vaccinated?
Johnson replied: “We are certainly reviewing the testing arrangements for travel and the secretary of state for health will be making a statement in the next few days on that.”
He added: It’s very important for everybody to understand that wherever you want to go in the world, getting your booster is going to be a pretty crucial thing to do.”
Johnson also took a question about teenagers and vaccine passports. MP Steve Brine said young people “faced punishment for doing the right thing when it comes to travel, especially our teenagers”.
“They cannot prove they have had two jabs on the NHS app if they are under 16, they can’t access it," Brine said. "Even if they can access it, it’s a cumbersome process involving a letter from the NHS. Those with one jab and a recent infection, cannot prove that at all; that effectively grounds them."
“Half term is coming, family memories are now, they are not at some point in the future, please can we urgently find a way that teenagers are treated with fairness and parity with their parents?” he asked.
Johnson did not commit, but replied: “It should be as simple as possible for young people.” He added the health secretary would be making a statement “in the next few days about what we propose to do”.
