British holidaymakers may soon have to film themselves taking Covid tests before being allowed back into the UK.
Under government plans unveiled last week, PCR swab tests are set to be replaced with lateral flows.
While faster and cheaper, the tests do not need to be sent off to a lab for the results to come through, meaning they are open to fraud.
Travel industry sources have said travellers might have to carry out a swab in sea or air terminals with officials watching to remove the chance of people cheating, the Telegraph reports.
Alternatively, they could be done via a video consultation.
A source told the publication: “You could have a simple mail-order system but the problem is that you have no verification whatsoever.
“You only have to look at social media to see videos of people faking it.”
It comes after Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said yesterday the Government aimed to introduce the new testing regime for fully jabbed travellers “as quickly as possible”.
If the new regime comes into force before October half term, holidays will be significantly cheaper for those looking to get away.
Typically lateral flow tests cost a lot less than PCRs, which have added hundreds of pounds to holiday bills.
Mr Shapps told the Transport Committee hearing on Wednesday that he did not have an exact date for when testing restrictions would be lifted but said his colleagues at the Department of Health are "aware of half term" when families will be wishing to go on holiday.
"It's clear the range of measures I introduced this week and last week are going to make a big difference and people will be able to travel much more freely," he said.
"Part of that is the removal of the PCR test on day two and replacing it with a much simpler lateral flow test.
"They (Department of Health) are aware of half term and are working closely with the private-sector providers to ensure we can do this as quickly as possible."
The Department for Health, which is in charge of testing, has been contacted for comment.
