Tens of thousands of passengers arrived at UK airports without the required Covid test certification for their holiday during the first week of Easter, it has been claimed.
Last-minute, unplanned tests have been provided as a result of holidaymakers being unaware of the entry requirements for their holiday destination.
But travellers risk missing flights or having to wait in long queues to complete their tests.
Nick Markham, co-founder at Cignpost ExpressTest, which has sites at Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Edinburgh, said: “Because the UK government has lifted all Covid restrictions, people naturally assume that all testing everywhere has ended.
“However, many countries still have some level of Covid testing in place for arrivals. They include the US, which requires all travellers to take a negative Covid test no more than 24 hours before they fly, and most of Europe’s short haul destinations, which have testing rules for arrivals who are not fully vaccinated, often including children aged 12 and over.”
He added: “Airports are already under pressure with staff shortages often themselves caused by Covid infections. That could mean longer queues at check-ins or for essential purchases at the airport. So having to queue for a last-minute test and then hoping the result comes through in time could leave you without time to clear security and catch their flight.
“We are urging all holidaymakers to check the entry requirements carefully for their destination before their departure date, and to book all necessary tests at the airport or in advance to avoid any last-minute holiday regrets.”