Covid tests for vaccinated travellers returning to the UK could be scrapped, according to reports.
Grant Shapps will ditch tests for arrivals in the UK before February half-term, The Sunday Times has said.
Currently travellers need to take a coronavirus test after they’re arrived back in the UK, but the Transport Secretary is said to be in favour of removing the measure.
However, travellers will still have to be fully vaccinated, with two jabs required for adults, the Mirror reports.
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An announcement has been pencilled in for January 26, according to The Sunday Times, which will also be when Boris Johnson will lift plan B restrictions such as working-from-home guidance.
At present vaccinated travellers must take a lateral flow test two days after they return to Britain. Anyone who tests positive must isolate for ten days, although this can be cut short with a negative lateral flow test on days six and seven.
A source close to Shapps is said to have told The Sunday Times: "We are looking at removing all Covid tests for vaccinated travellers by the end of January, which is likely to coincide with the review of the plan B measures on January 26.”
The change will be welcome news for the tourism industry: January is typically the busiest period for summer holiday bookings.
Covid cases in the UK are plummeting, down 33% week-on-week however deaths remain high and hospitalisations are flat (although both of those statistics tend to lag behind cases).
There is optimism that the UK is through the worst of the pandemic however pressure remains very high on dozens of hospitals.
Boris Johnson is clinging to his premiership after weeks of revelations about parties in Downing Street during various stages of Covid lockdowns.
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