Pre-arrival tests for people coming to England to be scrapped

Travellers from overseas entering England will no longer have to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test or self-isolate on arrival until they get a negative PCR test.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the House of Commons on Wednesday that the travel restrictions were introduced when the Omicron variant was first identified, to “slow its arrival” in the country.

But they will now be removed as Omicron is so prevalent that the measures are having “limited impact on the growth in cases”.

From 4 am on Friday, pre-departure testing for arrivals in England will be scrapped.

Johnson also said he is lifting the self-isolation requirement on arrival, until the receipt of a negative PCR test.

Instead, people coming into England will need to take a lateral flow test no later than two days after arrival.

If the test is positive, a further PCR test will be needed to help identify any new variants at the border.

Government figures released on Wednesday showed that daily COVID-19 cases exceeded 190,000 in the UK, and there were 334 deaths.

Johnson added that 10 million extra boosters have been given in the UK in the last three weeks.

“We have met our target of offering a booster to every eligible adult in England a whole month early,” he said.

But, he added, the UK is experiencing its fastest growth in COVID-19 cases with more than 218,000 cases reported on Tuesday.

He confirmed that based on the latest data, the Cabinet had agreed to stick with the government's current Plan B measures for another three weeks, before a further review on Jan 26.

Responding to Johnson’s COVID-19 statement, the opposition Labour Party’s deputy leader Angela Rayner backed the extension of the Plan B measures and urged people to get their vaccines and boosters.

But she said the government should be “straight with people” and give “a frank assessment” of the state of the National Health Service.

Citing Johnson’s comment on Tuesday that the nation must “ride out” the Omicron wave, she said the NHS is “not surfing” and is “struggling to stay afloat”.

She pointed out that several NHS trusts have declared critical incidents and are unable to provide services to cancer and heart disease patients, with some non-urgent operations being halted.

In response, Johnson dismissed claims that cancer services are being cut and said that due to government investment, there are more than 500 ambulance staff, 10,000 more nurses and 5,000 more doctors.