UK: No Backing from the Government for Covid-19 Testing at Airports

UK: No Backing from the Government for Covid-19 Testing at Airports Amid the travel crisis that UK is living now, leading figures in UK aviation have expressed frustration that the government has still not given backing for Covid-19 testing at airports. Foreign travel was paralysed for several months at the UK by the pandemic, with airlines, airports and tour firms shedding thousands of jobs. Despite of that the government has still not given backing for Covid-19 testing at airports, meanwhile the aviation industry sees airport testing as a way for passengers to leave quarantine early, and also help the travel industry get back on its feet after lockdown. Derek Provan, chief executive of AGS Airports, which runs Southampton, Aberdeen and Glasgow, said the sector was seeing more job losses than the demise of the coal industry in the 1980s. "That's surely not an accolade any government would like to have," he said. While the head of Southampton, Aberdeen and Glasgow airports accused ministers of "overseeing the demise of UK aviation". On the other hand, the bosses of Virgin Atlantic and Heathrow Airport said "leadership" was needed on the testing issue, warning of the huge number of jobs at stake. The Department for Transport said it had given huge support to the sector. Ministers in the UK have for months been considering whether to back testing at UK airports. They are said to be looking at a two-test system to reduce the risk of someone who recently contracted the virus giving a "false negative" result. Under that system two negative results, several days apart, would mean someone would not have to quarantine for the full 14-day period.   You might also be interested in:

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