Lateral flow test roll out still on track for half-term holidays
Transport secretary Grant Shapps has vowed that lateral flow testing will replace expensive PCR tests in time for the half-term holidays.
However Shapps still hasn’t disclosed a date.
Still, Shapps gave a firmer commitment compared to previous comments which were previously described as an ‘ambition.’
There will be an announcement on changes ‘n the coming days.’
"We anticipate having it ready for the half term, and what a difference it will make for people,’ Shapps said.
"If it’s negative, that’s it, you’re free to go, and the good thing is that can either be done, as I say, as soon as coming through the gates, potentially, at some airports where they might offer that, or you may have ordered a test to be at your home," he told the BBC.
"And that’s it, the job is done, there’s nothing further to do. So it’s going to be a much simplified, much cheaper system."
Separately, Shapps said there is still no definite date when the US will reopen borders to foreign vaccinated arrivals.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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