Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been urged to cap the cost of private Covid-19 tests to prevent foreign holidays becoming a luxury open only to the wealthiest families.
A list of providers which meet minimum testing standards on the Government website shows more than 100 outlets charging £200 or more.
Analysis produced by the Liberal Democrats, shows just 11 per cent of the providers offered tests for under £50, with the cheapest offering prices ranging from £20.
Some 24 per cent of the providers were charging more than £200 – with the Mayfair GP clinic listed as £575, although its own website said prices start at £399.
England's Health Secretary has asked the competition watchdog to investigate the market for travel PCR tests in response to concerns about the cost for families travelling abroad.
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated arriving in England from amber list countries, such as Spain or France, must self-isolate 10 days upon arrival and take a PCR test on day two and day eight.
They may be able to get out of quarantine early if you pay for a private PCR test to be taken on day five under the Test to Release scheme.
Those with two vaccines only need to take a PCR test on day two of their arrival and can skip self-isolation – the same rules apply to those who are under the age of 18 regardless of their vaccination status.
Anyone returning from a green list country need only have proof of a negative Covid-19 test before travel, fill in a passenger locator form and take a test on day two after arrival.
Rules for returning from green list destinations
Regulations for return to the UK nations are roughly harmonised. Passengers need to take a PCR or lateral flow/antigen tes t up to 72 hours before return to the UK. You will need to show a negative result before boarding and cannot use the free NHS tests.
Lateral flow/antigen tests can be bought in the UK or can be arranged overseas. PCR tests can also be arranged to be taken before return.
It is a traveller's responsibility to make sure they are of the right quality.
Anyone travelling to England (or the home countries) from any country, must present proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken in the 72 hours before a flight. That's the same regardless of that country's green, red, or amber list status - though children aged 10 and under are exempt from this requirement.
You must also have booked and paid for a PCR test, to be taken on day two after your arrival in England.
Finally, you must complete a passenger locator form.
PCR test rules from an amber list nation
Adults fully vaccinated in the UK, the US and most European countries don't have to self-isolate upon arrival in the UK. A Covid test is needed three days before returning from an amber country, and a PCR test two days after arriving.
Those arriving in England from Spain are being asked to use a PCR test for the first of those two tests.
Fully vaccinated adults and children under the age of 18 are exempt from both of those requirements.
PCR test rules from a red list country
Arrivals in England must quarantine in a government-approved hotel. from a red list nation You must satisfy all the rules above if you're coming from a red list country into England - except rather than quarantining at home, you'll need to do so in a government-approved hotel.
Quarantine charges rise to £2,285 per adult from August 12.
If you’re required to quarantine in a managed quarantine hotel you can only arrive in England at certain ports of entry. Currently these are:
- Heathrow Airport
- Gatwick Airport
- London City Airport
- Birmingham Airport
- Bristol Airport
- Farnborough Airport
- Biggin Hill Airport
PCR tests when leaving the UK
You may need to complete a PCR test before leaving the UK - check Foreign Office travel advice for your destination.
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