United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Shambolic test-to-release scheme leaves travellers fuming
Most of the 11 firms approved by the government to provide Covid-19 tests to travellers who want to end their 14-day quarantine early are unable to offer the service, it was revealed today.
Within hours of the launch of the test-to-release scheme, several firms on the government’s list of approved test providers had stopped offering any new appointments.
Others say they’ve run out of testing kits or that they’re not yet ready to provide the service.
One, Screen4, says it can still offer postal Covid-19 tests but its turnaround is up to three days, so the earliest travellers could end their quarantine would be on day 8.
Consumers took to social media to blast the new scheme, calling it a shambles.Several travellers pointed out they had booked trips to the UK in the expectation that they would be able to book a test in time to spend Christmas with their families but they’d been unable to find a test provider.
Under the test-to-release scheme, people arriving in the UK from countries not on the government’s travel corridor list can take a test five days after their arrival and if the result is negative they can end their 14-day quarantine early.
But travellers aren’t allowed to get a free NHS test under the scheme, and the government only published its list of 11 approved private testing firms late yesterday. By this morning it was apparent few of those on the list were able to provide testing kits or appointments.
One traveller wrote on Twitter: "Seems those of us planning to use the scheme to get out of quarantine and home for Christmas have been given false hope."
One of the test providers has allegedly already asked to be removed from the government’s list after being overwhelmed by demand.
The difficulty finding a test provider is likely to further dampen demand for travel. Holidaymakers are already struggling to get pre-departure Covid-19 tests and some are missing flights as a result of test results coming back to late, causing further problems for agents who need to rapidly re-organise holidays at the last minute.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision
JetBlue scraps London Gatwick flights