Fully vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to take costly PCR Covid tests on their return to Britain, according to a new report.
PCR tests, which can cost more than £100, will be replaced by free NHS lateral flow tests on the second day after arrival to the UK, according to the Mail on Sunday.
Double-jabbed holidaymakers will also not have to take coronavirus tests before leaving the UK, the report added.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he wants to get rid of PCR tests for travel ‘as soon as I possibly can’.
He told Sky News’s Trevor Phillips On Sunday: ‘I’m not going to make that decision right now, but I’ve already asked the officials that the moment we can, let’s get rid of these kinds of intrusions.
‘The cost that generates for families, particularly families just trying to go out and holiday, you know we shouldn’t be keeping anything like that in place for a second longer than is absolutely necessary.’
Currently, no-one has to self-isolate after visiting a green list country, but they do have to follow specific rules on return.
Before returning from a green-list destination, you must take a Covid-19 test and have proof of a negative result.
You must also book a test before you travel to be taken on the second day after your return.
Before you arrive in the UK you must also complete a passenger locator form.
Double-jabbed travellers can also travel to countries on the amber list without having to isolate on their return.
But unvaccinated people must quarantine at home or in the place they are staying for 10 days and take three Covid tests on their return to the UK from amber list countries.
Boris Johnson will discuss dropping PCR tests with ‘Covid-O committee’ members Javid, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, it was reported.
On Tuesday, the Prime Minister is expected to reveal his plan to deal with coronavirus over the next few months.
The current traffic light system under coronavirus rules could soon disappear in favour of a new two-tier arrangement in time for half-term in October, it was reported this week.
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