Sector needs support as travel tests are tightened - Chamber

Travellers heading to the UK will now have to take a Covid test before their departure in a bid to limit spread of the virus, the Government has said.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the tightened requirements would come into force from Tuesday 7 December.

But business leaders in Greater Birmingham pressed the government to offer financial support to businesses in the travel and aviation sector to help them get through the next few months.

Everyone aged 12 and over will be required to take a pre-departure test a maximum of 48 hours before leaving.

Currently people only need to self-isolate until they test negative within two days of arriving.

Nigeria will be added from Monday to the red list of countries from where people arriving must quarantine in a hotel for 10 days, Mr Javid also confirmed.

The PCR test must be booked before travelling, and bought privately from a government-approved list of providers.

Whilst waiting for a result, individuals must self-isolate - whether or not they have been vaccinated. The self isolation period can end if the test result is negative

Raj Kandola (pictured), head of policy at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Over the weekend, the Health Secretary made it clear that these additional travel restrictions have been introduced to assess the impact of the Omicron variant as case numbers continue to rise across the globe.

“Extending the red list to include countries where case rates are rapidly rising is a sensible step and in line with a number of European countries that are also tightening rules.

“However, the introduction of PCR tests is likely to have a wide-ranging impact on the travel industry - particularly if the additional cost and administrative burden have a negative impact on consumer demand levels.

“Sectors such as travel and aviation have only just started to experience the green shoots of recovery having been rocked to their core during the pandemic.

“Let 's not forget that institutions such as Birmingham Airport contribute billions to our regional economy each year and employ thousands of people.

“We would urge the Government to offer financial support to businesses in these sectors to help them get through the next few months until we know more about the impact Omicron is likely to have on our economy and wider society. ”