The transport secretary repeatedly ruled out ‘day zero’ testing as a means to reduce or end quarantine – but indicated a testing system after between five or eight days was “possible”.
Reacting to questions from MPs today, Grant Shapps said any airport testing “would need to come through the private sector” but insisted it must be approved by government research centre Porton Down and Public Health England.
Pressed on introducing testing as an alternative to quarantine after announcing ‘island corridors’, Shapps said: “There are significant issues with testing on day zero.”
He said: “Of course we want the sector to get going again. Testing is a part of that.” However, Shapps stressed the “complexity” of the different approaches to testing, especially in identifying people carrying Covid-19 without symptoms.
“We have to have the science behind us,” said Shapps, adding that testing cannot be introduced until a scheme is found “which will work under the circumstances”.
Shapps gave some hope to ideas of a test between 5 or 8 days after arrival, saying on MP was “on to something” when asked if Iceland’s policy of testing was something the UK government would consider. The country offers visitors the option of paying about £50 for two tests – with those who twice test negative only having to quarantine until their second negative test.
Shapps said a solution along these lines was “much more possible” than one test on arrival – but added that “the first test is not required”, adding that he thought it could make people who test negative on the first test “believe they don’t need to quarantine” [until they receive their second test results].
He also said tests before departure, as many countries within Europe are using, was an idea that was “worth consideration”.
The Airport Operators’ Association chief executive, Karen Dee, said the introduction of island corridors was “a welcome step in the right direction” but stressed: “It is essential that we find a safe alternative”.
“While there are certainly some issues with testing immediately on arrival – as the transport secretary outlined – there are other options available, such as testing on day 5 or day 8 after arrival, which could improve the situation.
“Government must work quickly and decide upon a testing regime which can be put in place as soon as possible. The aviation sector cannot continue operating against these headwinds for much longer.”
The AOA estimates more than 100,000 jobs are at risk unless the industry can re-start properly. “A testing regime for UK aviation would help kick-start such a recovery,” added Dee.
A Heathrow spokesperson also welcomed the island corridors, but added: “The government needs to build on these developments and show global leadership to establish common international standards for testing before flight.”
MPs questioning Shapps noted that the airport had a testing facility “sitting idle” and ready to be used if the government agrees on a testing regime.
Charlie Cornish, chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, which owns Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted airports, said: “The top priority should be bringing in a testing regime that will shorten the period of time passengers have to self-isolate.
“With hundreds of thousands of travel sector jobs at stake and the summer holiday season already behind us, progress must be made on this as a matter of urgency.”
Shapps said he would update the House of Commons on the government’s position on testing in the coming weeks.