PM confirms UK will begin testing arrivals – but doesn’t say how or when
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed the UK will start testing arrivals but he failed to give any details of the proposed scheme at a Downing Street briefing yesterday.
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove had said earlier on Tuesday that the UK intended to introduce a new testing regime and there were reports that Boris would provide further details at yesterday’s briefing.
However, when questioned about the proposals, Boris simply said: "We will be bringing in measures to ensure that we test people coming into this country to prevent the virus from being readmitted."
The Department for Transport later said testing was ‘one of several measures’ being considered to limit the spread of Covid-19.
“Additional measures, including testing before departure, will help keep the importation of new cases to an absolute minimum,” it said, adding that full details have still to be agreed.
A spokesperson said further details will be set out ‘in due course’.
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
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