New Lateral Flow Test to Make COVID Testing Cheaper for UK Tourists

New Lateral Flow Test to Make COVID Testing Cheaper for Vaccinated UK Tourists

They have a new cheaper alternative!

The United Kingdom seems to be making life easier for foreign leisure travellers by the day. Earlier this month, the UK announced that it would no longer be requiring fully vaccinated travellers from most destinations to get tested before departing their country of origin. The only thing they’ll need to do is to book a COVID test to take on or before the second day of their UK trip. 

Also read: UK Travel Restrictions: All You Need to Know Before Visiting

What was previously the need to book a PCR test has now changed to a cheaper and faster alternative in favour of the rapid lateral flow test. According to the NHS website, “Rapid lateral flow tests are for people who do not have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). The tests give a quick result using a device similar to a pregnancy test.” Read more about the lateral flow test here.

This eased protocol will begin on 24 Oct 2021 and will apply to all fully vaccinated travellers on the UK’s green list. It will also apply to eligible travellers under 18. Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, shared on Twitter that they aim to make travel easier and simpler for everyone with this new advisory. 

Image credit: Massimo Virgilio

“Taking away expensive mandatory PCR testing will boost the travel industry and is a major step forward in normalising international travel and encouraging people to book holidays with confidence,” Shapps added in a statement.

Booking of the lateral flow test will be available on the government’s website starting 22 Oct 2021. Travellers are asked to take a photo of their lateral flow test and booking reference for their own record. Some airports will also provide booking services for the lateral flow test at their testing centres to make it easier for travellers to book upon arrival.

Also read: Singapore Expands Its Vaccinated Travel Lanes With More Countries, Including US & UK

“We want to make going abroad easier and cheaper, whether you’re travelling for work or visiting friends and family. This change to testing is only possible thanks to the incredible progress of our vaccination programme, which means we can safely open up travel as we learn to live with the virus,” said Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid.


Featured image credit: Rayan de Zeeuw | Unsplash

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