Double jabbed to get PCR test exemption

THE Government is set to announce an exemption from PCR testing for travellers who are double-vaccinated.

The change is expected to come before the school half term in October for double vaccinated-holidaymakers returning to the UK.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid told officials that he wished to abandon the requirement due to the “costs generated for families” who try to go away on holiday.

Lateral flow tests could replace the expensive kit, which has been criticised after approved testing companies charged high prices.

The tests now cost £75 on average after they were slashed by £20 as the Health Secretary labelled firms as using “exploitative practices”.

Speaking to Sky News’s Trevor Phillips On Sunday, the Health Secretary expressed wanting to get rid of the “intrusions”.

He said: “I’m not going to make that decision right now, but I’ve already asked the officials that the moment we can, let’s get rid of these kinds of intrusions.

“The cost that generates for families, particularly families just trying to go out and holiday, you know we shouldn’t be keeping anything like that in place for a second longer than is absolutely necessary.”

The testing scheme was put in place to prevent new vaccine resistant variants from entering the country, but now, officials are looking at binning the rule for those returning from amber and green list countries. The plans may also mean double vaccinated travellers will not need to take a test before leaving the UK.

Boris Johnson, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Mr Javid and Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove are said to be meeting to discuss the plans this week.

As well as changes to travel testing, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce Covid winter plans.