80 MPs urge govt to shorten quarantine through airport testing

The MPs, including 40 Conservatives, belonging to the Future of Aviation Group warned the UK risked “being left behind” when compared to the approach taken by more than 30 other countries which have already introduced testing.

In its new report published in The Telegraph, the group set out a ten-point plan to aid the travel industry, with the adoption of a testing system "as soon as possible" so passengers from high-risk countries who tested negative were freed from quarantine early, being considered as “imperative” by MPs.

“Without testing, we risk not only limiting leisure travel but also damaging our aspirations for a truly global Britain,” said the report.

“With many of our current and future trading partners currently subject to a 14-day quarantine we are sending precisely the wrong message at the wrong time.

“We know that many within the industry have been pushing for testing for a considerable time, with Heathrow waiting for government approval to start a trial, which could begin as early as the end of this month.”

Ministers are due to meet later this month to consider alternative options to 14-day quarantine measures – including tests on arrival in the UK with a second five or eight days later, allowing holidaymakers and business travellers to shorten their time in quarantine.