Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Josh Salisbury

Travel tests have ‘virtually no impact’ on spread of new variants, research finds

Day two lateral flow tests are currently required for travellers (Andrew Milligan/PA)

(Picture: PA Archive)

Travel tests have almost no effect in preventing Covid variants being imported into the UK unless new restrictions are introduced from within a day of the strain being present, a new analysis has found.

The research found that any travel rules would only delay a new variant’s peak by between two to eight days.

However, the analysis found this would only happen if they were introduced immediately after a new variant was imported, reported the Telegraph.

Every additional day of delay after that reduced the impact, and by day six, it only held back the peak by a day, according to the modelling by Edge Health and Oxera, a research consultancy.

The UK only detected and implemented measures to tackle Omicron after it had already arrived in the country, suggesting that tests were introduced long after they were effective.

The research, funded by Airlines UK and Manchester Airports Group, has been sent to the Government in a bid to support the ending of day two lateral flow tests for travellers.

Charlie Cornish, the MAG chief executive, said: "The findings show conclusively that testing for international travel will not deliver significant benefits in managing the spread of new variants.

"As we learn to live with Covid-19, it is important that people are allowed to travel free of the additional cost and uncertainty which testing creates. This study provides ministers with the clear evidence that this is achievable.

"The UK Government has taken the step to remove domestic restrictions, and it should now apply this approach to international travel.

The travel industry has been particularly hard hit throughout the pandemic, with Mr Cornish calling it “the country’s worst hit sector”.

Ministers have already changed requirements for a pre-departure test and substituted lateral flow tests for day two PCR tests - which had hit holidaymakers with a hefty fee for travel.

According to reports, transport minister Grant Shapps is set to scrap tests for double-jabbed travellers in time for the half-term break in February. The change could be announced on January 26.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.