Replace quarantine with on-the-spot Covid tests, BTA tells ministers
The Business Travel Association is proposing on the spot Covid-19 checks for anyone arriving in the UK to avoid the need for them to quarantine for 14 days.
It has written to ministers suggesting PCR Covid-19 checks, which give results within an hour, are made available at UK airports.
In its letter to the Home Secretary Priti Patel and the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, the BTA has suggested a pilot scheme for business travellers from Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam could be up and running at any UK airport within seven days.
It is proposing the tests will be carried out by DiamondAir and one other company, with which it is still in talks. They woud cost ‘about £150’ each, which would be paid by the traveller or their company. The BTA didn’t confirm how much testing capacity either of its partners is able to offer.
The letter to ministers was signed by BTA CEO Clive Wratten and more than 20 CEOs from across the business sector.
Wratten said: "This pilot can restore confidence across the business community that there is a practical, safe and immediate alternative to the stranglehold of quarantine. One which can enable travel to resume without further delay.
"Business travel contributes £600 million a day to UK GDP. It’s vital that we make this possible now and in doing so, re-ignite the British economy. "Without this scheme and under current quarantine measures, tens of thousands of jobs across the business travel supply chain are at risk of being lost forever."
The BTA suggested business travellers entering the UK could book in advance a test appointment for their arrival. They would be met at the airport, given a PCR test and then given the results in under an hour.
"This prevents any infectious travellers from embarking on public transport, and gives assurances to the British public and enables business travel to begin again," it said.
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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