Boris Johnson confirms travellers to England will not need pre-departure Covid tests

Boris Johnson has confirmed that travellers arriving into England won’t need pre-departure Covid tests from this Friday, January 7th.

The Prime Minister also said these travellers will only be required to take a lateral flow test within two days of arrival, and that the requirement to self-isolate upon arrival will be lifted.

Manchester Airport

Speaking at the PMQs this afternoon, Johnson says the UK has the biggest testing programme in Europe, with it registering twice as many tests as France and four times as many as Germany.

This announcement comes after it was confirmed that follow-up PCR tests after a positive lateral flow will no longer be a legal requirement in England.

Instead, people who have tested positive on a lateral flow will be required to self-isolate for a week until they receive a negative result on days six or seven.

The rule change will mean those who are asymptomatic – believed to make up around 40% of all Covid cases – will be able to return to work sooner.

@john_cameron / Unsplash

Ministers also hope the change will reduce infection spread, as less infectious people will be required to leave their homes to get a PCR test.

A health source said: “The overwhelming likelihood is that if you have a positive lateral flow, then you are infectious.

“So there is no need for an extra PCR check when testing is already under huge strain.”