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All travelers arriving in the UK will face mandatory coronavirus testing starting next week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced to MPs.
In a statement from Commons, it will say that as of next Monday, February 15, all passengers arriving in the United Kingdom must take a test on days two and eight after their arrival.
The new rules, which will cause further consternation in the already reeling airline industry, will apply to arrivals not only from 33 so-called Red Zone countries heading for hotel quarantine, but also those who isolate themselves. at home.
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Currently, people traveling to the UK must provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before entering the country.
But scientists from the government’s SAGE group have warned ministers that these pre-departure tests can only make a limited contribution to detaining people with coronavirus entering the UK.
The test crackdown, aimed at stopping the spread of deadly new variants in the UK, is part of the government’s long-awaited border plan, including mandatory quarantine at hotels for arrivals in the Red Zone.
Under the new regime, the COVID-19 The tests performed on the second day will be sent for analysis to identify new strains of coronavirus. Anyone who fails to get tested will face fines and travelers will have to pay for their tests.
It will bring the UK into line with countries like Italy, Canada, and Dubai where tests on arrival are mandatory. In most cases, testing is done at the airport.
Ahead of Hancock Commons’ statement, a health department spokesperson told Sky News: “Throughout the pandemic, the government has implemented proportionate measures, informed by the council of scientists, that have led to some of the border regimes toughest in the world.
“It is important that the government continues to take the necessary steps to protect people and save lives.
“Improving our testing regime to cover all arrivals while they are isolated will provide a higher level of protection and allow us to better track any new cases that may arrive in the country, and provide us with even more opportunities to detect new variants.”
“More details of our mandatory quarantine and improved testing regimen will be released soon.”
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COVID-19: Assessing the UK Response
But the government was criticized by Labor Party shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds, who tweeted: “Once again, the UK government is lurching from crisis to crisis, without a consistent strategy to ensure our borders against COVID variants. “
He added: “21,000 people enter the country every day. We urgently need a comprehensive hotel quarantine system.”
Hancock is making the government announcement after Downing Street announced last Thursday that he had been appointed by Boris Johnson “to oversee intergovernmental efforts to provide mandatory quarantine and enhanced testing that will help address threats from new COVID-19 variants.” .
In what seemed like a margin for maneuver from Interior Secretary Priti Patel, Number 10 added: “A new cabinet subcommittee, headed by the secretary of health and care, will be attended by several high-ranking ministers who will play a role. vital role in the execution of policy.
“The government is also working closely with the delegated administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as the changes take effect.”
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But during Home Office questions in the Commons on the eve of Hancock’s statement, Ms Patel told MPs: “The new health measures at the border are necessary to protect public health and our vaccination program from world class.
“The government has been very clear about the measures to be announced, some in due course, because a lot of operational and logistical planning is being done around these measures.
“At the same time, it is worth recognizing that there are many people on the front lines seeking the implementation of this policy, which is based on the advice of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and other government advisers.
“It is important that we take the time to absolutely ensure that these measures are implemented in the correct way.”
Over three nights, Sky News will host a series of special programs examining the UK’s response to the pandemic.
Watch COVID Crisis: Learning the Lessons at 8 pm on February 9, 10 and 11.
