A government-approved provider of day-two lateral flow tests has reported “phenomenal demand” from holidaymakers but warned many do not know what the regime involves.
Project Screen by Prenetics began taking bookings for lateral flow tests, alongside 24 other approved providers, three days ago. Lateral flow tests have replaced PCR tests for day two after arrival back into the UK.
The strong demand for test kits appeared to back the results of an October 20 survey conducted for the company by market research company Survation which found 26% of Brits were now considering a winter break.
This compared with 20% of respondents who considered a summer holiday earlier in the year, based on a poll on June 25-26 this year.
The number of people considering a winter holiday increased to 43% for 18-34 year olds but declined in older age groups, with only 10% of the over-65s considering a winter trip away.
While 26% of respondents said the new, cheaper tests made them more likely to book a holiday, only 51% understood the new travel test changes and the procedure involved.
The company said it had sold tens of thousands of tests since they were made bookable.
Avi Lasarow, chief executive EMEA, said: “It’s very clear from this level of demand more people plan to go on holiday this winter than the past summer.
“This has been caused by a double whammy of cheaper testing and more people being fully vaccinated. We also predict the re-opening of the US to British holidaymakers from November 14 is going to be a big driver.”
But the company raised concern about the lack of awareness of the testing procedure, which involves holidaymakers buying tests from an approved provider, taking it themselves on day two and sending back a picture of the test result to the provider to be verified.
“Half the public still seem unaware what the new lateral flow testing regime entails. Our advice is find out about the new system before you go and double check the entry requirements to countries you’re travelling to,” said Lasarow.
Project Screen by Prenetics, which offers lateral flow tests for £22 at Heathrow, Stansted, Southend and Luton airports, believes the new tests could save holidaymakers up to 93% in test costs.
As an example, the company said that this summer a holidaymaker needed up to four PCR tests to travel from the UK to Spain and back: one for departure from the UK, one before departing Spain, and one on day two and one on day eight after their return. With PCR tests costing £80 each on average, according to the company, this put the total cost at £320.
Under the new Department for Transport changes, a fully vaccinated holidaymaker going to Spain only needs to pay for one lateral flow test on day two of their return to the UK.