'We can't close down the economy every time there's a variant of concern'

Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday morning (15 December), the airport’s chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “If they’ve taken away the red list then they’re accepting that the Omicron strain is now endemic in the UK.

"So why not take away the testing they only introduced as a temporary measure? There is no need to extend beyond today now that the red list has gone. Why are we waiting until January before that will be reviewed?"

Holland-Kaye added: “Up until a few weeks ago, if you had been double vaccinated, you didn’t need to take any tests when you came into the UK, and that’s because we relied on the Covid vaccination.

"So I assume that what he’s meaning [transport secretary Grant Shapps] is that in future, you’ll need three jabs rather than two jabs to be able to travel without any form of testing.

“Now, for people who don’t have the three jabs, I imagine they will still need to do some testing when they come into the UK, but the vast majority of travellers will have been fully vaccinated and will be able to travel as normal, and that’s what we need to get back to.

"We can’t close down the economy every time there is a variant of concern.”