Rapid antigen tests on arrival after travel can be just as effective as quarantining to stop imported cases of COVID-19, according to new research which the travel industry hopes will convince Britain to open up its borders in summer 2021.
A NHS 'test and trace' worker uses a grabber to handle a Covid-19 test kit at a drive through/walk up testing facility in Moston, geater Manchester on February 19, 2021, as a handful of cases of a Covid-19 'variant of concern' has surfaced in the area. Photo: VCG
Britain currently bans all foreign travel, except for work, education or health reasons. However, the government is to review that in April and possibly allow it from May 17. But rising levels of COVID-19 infections in some European countries and warnings from UK government ministers not to book trips has led to worries that the holiday ban could be extended.
Research commissioned by airlines British Airways owner IAG, Virgin Atlantic and others found that a single on-arrival antigen test is as effective as a 10-day self-isolation period in reducing imported cases of COVID-19. In 2020, Britain's 10-day quarantine rules for arrivals from most countries hammered the travel industry, deterring people from taking trips. After a year of restrictions and minimal revenues airlines are desperate for travel to restart, and when it does they want less risky destinations to be exempt from the requirement to quarantine.
The research has been submitted to Britain's Global Travel Taskforce, which is reviewing how and when travel should restart and will report on April 12.