Wales to offer more Covid test choices for inbound travellers
Health Minister Eluned Morgan said a wider choice of test providers will be available for people returning to Wales from overseas starting next week.
The expansion comes as new standards and spot checks are being introduced, which will help to address long-standing concerns and issues about the market for PCR tests for all travellers returning to the UK.
The Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) also made a series of recommendations to the UK Government to further improve the travel testing market.
All travellers returning to the UK from overseas must take PCR tests on their return home to help identify any new cases and prevent its onward spread.
Until now, these must be NHS tests for Welsh residents while people living in other parts of the UK have had a wider choice of test providers to choose from.
The expanded choice begins from 21 September.
New legislative standards for private test providers will come into force from this date.
Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: "Given the new regulations and the impact on standards for private tests, we will make changes to the rules to enable people travelling to Wales to book tests with private sector providers, if they wish. NHS tests will also continue to be available to book."
"I welcome the progress that has been made in addressing the significant concerns we have raised with UK Government, especially with the introduction of new regulatory standards on 21 September."
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