Testing scheme prompts trade to target Christmas


Ben Ireland and Juliet Dennis


Agents and operators say the day-five ‘test to release’ scheme is “a step in the right direction” and good news for clients wanting to see loved ones abroad at Christmas. As the testing regime applies only


to destinations the Foreign Office currently advises against travel to, the trade does not expect large volumes of bookings to flood in immediately, and warned tests remained too expensive for some clients. Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer


said the testing scheme must be kept under review in order to further reduce quarantine “as fast as is compatible with the government’s domestic health strategy”. He said the scheme would make


overseas travel “more attractive and manageable” but said a testing scheme was also needed for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as part of a regionalised approach. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive


of The Advantage Travel Partnership, described the announcement as “finally, a step in the right direction” but called for more clarity to help agents plan for the January sales period.


Miles Morgan Travel chairman


Miles Morgan said the scheme was not aimed at the holiday market but was “for people who want to go somewhere for Christmas, provided they can get insurance”. He said the “bigger news” was the


government’s agreement to consider ‘rapid’ lateral tests in the new year. Haslemere Travel owner Gemma


Antrobus welcomed the scheme but cautioned: “The devil will be in the detail. The government also has not lifted its blanket bans on travel, although I’m optimistic it will.” Operators gave the news a


thumbs up, but easyJet Holidays chief executive Garry Wilson highlighted the “urgent” need for an “affordable” testing option ahead of peaks and more-regionalised quarantine. Tui said it would continue to offer holidays only to quarantine-free destinations, unaffected by the new policy. John Bevan, chief executive of


dnata Travel Group, said 14-day quarantine had been a “massive barrier” and the new scheme “might just be enough” to save the late winter-sun season. He added: “I’m increasingly confident about a return to something like normality in the first half of next year.”


Grant Shapps says


scheme is a ‘stepping stone to the next stage’


Industry hails ‘te a step forward b


Ian Taylor


The ‘test to release’ regime for travel revealed on Tuesday has “kinks to iron out” but marks “a huge step forward” after the government embraced key industry demands. The government


announced testing for arrivals to England following confirmation on Monday that lockdown will be replaced by new tiers of restrictions from December 3. Arrivals from destinations not on


STORY TOP


Those who choose to opt in after arrival will need to submit a new form. Tests can be done at home and


returned by post or courier or at an approved site. The type of tests and the cost


remain unclear. A list of providers will only be available “closer to implementation on December 15”. Prices from £65 have been suggested. However, this depends


on rapid tests being approved. Higher-priced PCR tests,


the travel corridors list will be able to pay for tests from approved providers after five days’ self-isolation from December 15, with a negative result allowing release. The ‘Test to release for


New testing regime ‘is good for those who want to travel at Christmas’


4 26 NOVEMBER 2020


international travel’ strategy will allow passengers to book a test before flying. Travellers must state this on their passenger locator form on arrival.


which remain the ‘gold standard’ and require lab processing, take 24-48 hours and cost £120-£150. The announcement suggested


14-day quarantine would be cut “by two thirds”, but this would require the use of rapid lateral flow tests of the kind used in a large-scale trial in Liverpool. Transport secretary Grant Shapps implied these are not yet ready but will be soon, saying “this is a stepping stone to the next


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