The Government has contradictory guidelines that leave travelers confused about whether or not they should be tested for Covid-19 before traveling.
Raging holidaymakers were forced to stand in long lines to obtain a lateral flight test prior to their return to the UK.
Many people have been misled by inconsistent advice. One Government site advises travelers to test two days prior to their flights, while another press release states that tests must be done no later than 48 hours.
In the meantime, holidaymakers are forced to wait for their lateral flow in Fuertertura, Correlji and Tenerife.
Fresh curbs have been introduced from today in response to the Omicron variant, with non-vaccinated British travellers aged 12 and over now banned from entering Spain.
At least 200 holidaymakers from Britain have had to stand in long lines to obtain a lateral flight test, before returning to their home country. Around 200 British tourists waited in line for their lateral flow test in Tenerife today before flying home to the UK.
From 4am today all people aged 12 years and over must take a PCR or LFD Covid-19 test before they travel to England from abroad.
For travellers arriving in England before December 7, the guidance is clearer: “Until 4am on 7/12/2007, you may take the test at any time during the three days prior to the departure of the service.”
If you are flying to England directly on Friday, then you may take a test at any time during the week, including on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, or on Fridays. You must have the test results available before you board.
However, today’s clarity is not there.
While one Government website page, titled Coronavirus testing before you travel to England, warns travellers: ‘You must take the test in the 2 days before your service to England departs. The test must be taken if you are traveling to England on a multi-leg trip.
Dozens of UK travelers waited to take their Covid testing in Correljo and Fuerteventura. Unhappy holidaymaker stated, “Precious vacation time was wasted. No compensation is necessary.
Another page, titled Tests required before travel to UK and Nigeria added to red list, reads: ‘In light of emerging evidence on the Omicron variant, from 4am on Tuesday 7 December anyone aged 12 and above wishing to travel to the UK will need to show a negative pre-departure test (LFD or PCR) as close as possible to departure and not more than 48 hours before to slow the importation of the new variant.’
MailOnline was informed by a confused passenger that if the Covid rule states two days, then your flight must depart at 11am Friday. If the rule allows for 48 hours, boarding would not be permitted if you take the test on Wednesday at 9am. This would mean that the Covid test would have to be taken at 10am on Friday.
They added: ‘Travellers can get stranded if the airlines think it’s 48 hours but the rules actually say any time on the two days before the day of the flight.’
MailOnline submitted the question to Department for Health and Social Care. The spokesman pointed us to a prior press release. It stated that Omicron variant passengers were advised to complete the pre-departure tests as soon as possible before their departure date to the UK. This should not be more than 48 hours before travel.
FCDO’s travel advice advised Britons, when questioned by anxious holidaymakers via Twitter, to disregard a Government press statement that was published 48 hours ago and to still believe it to have been two days.
Questioned by concerned holidaymakers on Twitter, the FCDO Travel Advice advised Britons not to pay attention to a Government press release for 48 hours. They still considered it two days after being sent.
The FCDO Travel Advice was a helpful resource for confused travelers. It could point them directly to the government website.
A Government webpage titled Coronavirus testing prior to you travel to England warns travelers: “You must pass the test within the two days preceding your departure for England. You must pass the test if your trip to England involves multiple legs.
The second page is called Tests needed before traveling to UK or Nigeria. It states: “Due to emerging evidence about the Omicron variation, anyone over 12 who wishes to travel in the UK will be required to submit a negative Pre-Departure Test (LFD) and PCR as soon as they depart and no more than 48 hours before the arrival of the new variant to slow its importation.
Twitter: “Please adhere to the instructions regarding the predeparture tests as opposed the release.”
Will D. Smith, a Twitter user wrote that they should change their press release. This incorrect information only leads to greater uncertainty. News outlets report flight status 48 hours prior, and not 2 days. It is going to really cause havoc for passengers.
It comes after Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency, warned that the travel sector must not be used as a ‘punchbag’ by governments.
‘Whenever we see tightening of measures they are extra barriers which put off people from booking,’ he said.
‘Whether it is talk of quarantine or extra testing, these measures act as a barrier to people’s confidence.’
He said restrictions have ‘only been put in place because of the uncertainty over the variant itself’, adding: ‘That’s why we need a thorough conclusion urgently on this variant.’
England does not require pre-departure testing, however all arriving guests must undergo a PCR test at least two days before departure. Once the result is negative, they will be quarantined in their home for up to a week.
A leaked paper from the Government’s SAGE advisors this week said pre-departure tests would be ‘valuable’.