COVID-19 tests canceled for fully vaccinated travelers arriving in England, PM confirms | travel news

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Boris Johnson has confirmed that COVID tests for fully vaccinated travelers arriving in England have been cancelled.

It comes after chief executives of the UK’s largest airlines urged the government to end coronavirus-related travel restrictions.

The chiefs noted evidence that the Omicron variant is in decline, and argued that current measures have a “limited effect” in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

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Image: The airline industry saw massive cancellations as Omicron hit the UK in December

Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to the academic centre, Milton Keynes Hospital, the Prime Minister said: “Thanks to the difficult decisions we have had the big calls that we have made … the most open economy and society in Europe.

“And while we have to be careful, we are now moving through the Omicron wave, and you can see the numbers are starting to improve.

“So what we do in travel, to show that this country is open for business, open to travelers, you’ll see changes so that people who arrive don’t have to get tested if they get vaccinated, if they get vaccinated twice.”

Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, said: “We welcome this news knowing that millions of our customers will also be delighted to see the return of unrestricted travel in the UK. We are now looking forward to what we believe will be a strong summer.

“We believe that travel testing should now be a thing of the past. It is clear that travel restrictions have not slowed the spread of Omicron in the UK and so it is important that there is no more rapid reaction to future variables.

Photo: Airlines organized campaigns to cancel tests for passengers

“We commend the government for removing all testing. EasyJet plans to return to nearly 2019 levels for flying this summer, so we can’t wait to welcome our customers back on board.”

From Thursday, COVID passports and the mandatory wearing of face masks have been scrapped in England – and people are no longer required to work from home.

Speaking to Sky News, WHO’s special envoy for COVID, Dr David Nabarro, described the virus as “very bad and somewhat cunning” – and said it should not be treated like the flu.

He warned that the Corona virus is still “extremely dangerous”, adding: “It can also mutate and form variables and we have seen many of them, but we know that there is more not far away.”

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