Three leading airlines have agreed to test all passengers for Covid-19 prior to boarding UK flights for New York.
British Airways, Delta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic have all pledged to introduce pre-flight tests for transatlantic travellers.
New York state governor Andrew Cuomo revealed this week that British Airways and Delta Airlines had agreed to implement pre-boarding testing following the emergence of a highly contagious mutant strain of coronavirus in the UK.
Mr Cuomo said: “When you do not require flights from the UK to be tested, you are allowing thousands of UK passengers to arrive here every day and, based on New York’s experience in the spring, I believe this new, highly contagious strain of Covid-19 is already here.
“This is another disaster waiting to happen and all efforts must be placed into averting another crisis.”
More than 40 countries have banned UK flights because of fears regarding the spread of the coronavirus variant, though the US has so far not taken similar action.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesman has now confirmed the airline would commence pre-flight testing, telling the PA news agency the measures would be in place for all customers travelling from London to the US from Thursday, December 24.
The spokesman said: “With the health and safety of our customers and people always our number one priority, we will require all travellers to present evidence of a negative LAMP or PCR Covid-19 test, taken up to 72 hours prior to departure, including on-site at the airport.
“Throughout the crisis, Virgin Atlantic has been championing a robust pre-departure passenger testing regime in order to reopen the skies at scale and safely replace border restrictions.
“In August we were the first UK airline to implement on-site rapid testing for our crew and, with our partner Collinson, we already offer pre-departure rapid testing for customers on several routes including Hong Kong and Barbados.
“This is the latest addition to a range of rigorous, multi-layered health and safety measures to ensure that all customers fly safe and well.”
The spokesman added customers would receive more information in the coming days.
