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A new testing scheme designed to reduce the quarantine period for people arriving in England has suffered from what has been described as a “chaotic start”.
Launched Tuesday, the plan offered travelers the opportunity to reduce 10-day self-isolation by paying to get a coronavirus test after five days and testing negative.
But it emerged that several of the 11 test companies included in a government list published Monday night were having trouble providing the “test-to-release” service.
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One of them, SameDayDoctor, asked to be removed from the program.
He posted a message on his website that said: “Unfortunately, we have been so overwhelmed with test and launch requests that we are unable to answer any more emails or accept any more bookings.”
Axiom Laboratory said the service was “not yet available,” Halo Verify said tests were sold out and Medicspot was not accepting new orders due to a delay.
The quarantine rule applies to people arriving from overseas locations, except for those listed on the government’s travel broker list.
The Department of Transportation announced the new program three weeks ago, offering a ray of hope to a travel industry hit by the coronavirus crisis.
However, the plan drew immediate criticism from people like Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, who complained of a lack of consultation with the industry.
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There was more anger from the industry over the plan’s troubled start.
Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency, told the PA news agency: “It is a chaotic start for a system that was singled out as a solution to recovery in the travel sector, but weeks have passed planning and it has taken minutes to fall apart. “
Richard Burge, chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce, said the failure “defies belief” with the return of travel and tourism that are critical to the capital and the UK’s economic recovery.
He said: “The government must urgently remove its selected providers that have fallen over the first fence and add those that can and are already providing trial services at our airports.
“This is another example of how the government does things for companies instead of doing it.”
Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “This vital service seems to descend into chaos.
“The conservative government has had months to get this system right. They urgently need to control it.”
The prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “We have already secured 11 test providers that meet our minimum standards and we are working in step to secure more.”
