COVID-19: ‘Cowboy’ test providers face £10,000 fines after 91 were taken off government list | UK news

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Private COVID-19 testing companies will face £10,000 fines for taking advantage of holidaymakers as 91 are removed from the government’s approved list after review.

Health Minister Sajid Javid said after a review by the Competition and Markets Authority of the private COVID test market, 135 providers were also corrected for their inaccurate pricing.

“They will be removed from the list if they advertise misleading prices again,” he said.

“It is completely unacceptable for any private testing company to take advantage of vacationers as we take action to crack down on cowboy behaviour.”

Mr Javid asked the competition watchdog a month ago to investigate the PCR testing market over “exploitative behaviour” concerns and the vastly different costs for travelers who have to take the tests when returning to the UK.

Passengers have complained about large differences in prices and service levels from the more than 400 companies that provide the tests.

Some failed to submit exams on time or did not return results in time while others were changing their names so they appeared at the top of the alphabetical list.

The government has a list of companies and clinics offering COVID testing, but many lack full accreditation and more than 100 outlets in August were charging £200 or more.

Tests usually cost £75.

Mr Javid added: “Through our regular reviews and snap checks, we have identified more providers who were tampering with costs and have now removed 91 providers from Gov.uk and corrected inaccurate prices for 135 private providers who will be removed from a list if they advertise misleading prices. once again.

“From September 21, in order to ensure that travel test providers perform to a high legal standard, there will be tough new penalties for companies that do not comply with the law, including fixed fines of up to £10,000.”

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An analysis of the listing by the Liberal Democrats showed that only 11% of providers offered tests for less than £50, with the lowest bidding prices ranging from £20.

About 24% of providers were charging more than £200 – with the Mayfair GP clinic listed as £575, although their website said prices start at £399.

All passengers coming from Green List countries, fully vaccinated people in the UK and a few others entering from Amber List countries are required to take a test on the second day after arriving in the UK.

Arrivals from amber List countries who have not been fully vaccinated, or who have been vaccinated in countries not on the approved list, must take the tests on the second and eighth day in the UK.

It must be purchased from a private provider before travelling.

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