Families travelling overseas for the half-term holidays will save hundreds as Covid testing requirements are changing from next week.
From October 22, holidaymakers will be able to take a lateral flow test at home but will need to take a picture of their test and send it online to prove the result.
This new and more relaxed measure comes after it has been found lateral flow tests are more accurate than what was previously thought.
Researchers from the University College London explained lateral flow tests are very effective at detecting the people most likely to spread COVID- 19.
They claimed lateral flow tests results are accurate and should be trusted.
The home test has been highly criticised as it was believed it was less reliable than laboratory analysed PCRs.
UCL explained if travellers get positive lateral flow results, they “should trust them and stay at home”.
Government travel advice announced last week: “From late October, eligible fully vaccinated passengers including under 18s returning from a rest of world country will have the option to replace their day two test with a cheaper lateral flow test, followed by a free PCR test if positive, reducing the cost of tests on arrival into England.”
Sajid Javid, Health Secretary, explained: “Our robust border measures have helped protect the phenomenal progress of our vaccination programme, and it is because of this success both here and around the world that we can safely open up travel further and we can visit friends and family abroad.
“We’re now making it easier and cheaper for people to travel by allowing fully vaccinated travellers from non-red list countries to use lateral flow tests on day two of arrival, as long as they provide proof of use.”
Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, said: “With half-term and winter sun around the corner, we’re making it easier for families and loved ones to reunite, by significantly cutting the number of destinations on the red list, thanks in part to the increased vaccination efforts around the globe.
“Restoring people’s confidence in travel is key to rebuilding our economy and levelling up this country.”
The Government statement said: “The Government can also confirm passengers taking postal tests will be able to send a picture of their lateral flow test as a minimum requirement to verify the test result, with the ambition remaining to have this in place for people returning from half-term breaks by the end of the month.”
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