London:
The UK today decreased the price of COVID-19 tests for international travellers from Amber list nations like India from 88 pounds to 68 pounds, just after a lot of representations more than the higher charges of the mandatory testing.
Passengers returning from Green list nations or Amber list destinations like India, if they are totally vaccinated, will now spend 20 pounds much less per Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.
The test need to be taken on or ahead of day two just after the traveller arrives in England.
People who have not had each doses of the coronavirus vaccine and are returning from Amber list nations like India will also see the cost of the two tests they want fall from 170 pounds to 136 pounds. The tests need to be taken on days two and eight of their arrival from abroad.
The cost reduction does not have an effect on arrivals from Red list nations, or if they buy a test from a private provider, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) stated.
The National Health Service (NHS) Test and Trace provide COVID-19 tests for international travel, but in contrast to regular lateral flow tests or PCR ones for folks with symptoms, they are paid for.
UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid has announced a “rapid internal review” of rates charged by government-authorized businesses just after claims that holidaymakers are becoming exploited more than private testing.
“I have ordered my department to urgently review the list of private providers on gov.uk to ensure pricing is clearer and transparent,” the minister stated today.
“Any provider found to be misleading the public will be kicked off. Too many providers are acting like cowboys and that needs to stop. The public should be allowed to enjoy their summer holidays without having to face excessive costs or anxiety,” he stated.
Mr Javid has also commissioned a wider evaluation by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to address discrepancies in testing rates.
Since last weekend, India was moved from the Red List travel ban to Amber – which indicates travellers coming into the UK can self-isolate at their designated address on a compulsory passenger locator kind rather of only at a government-mandated hotel at further charges.