Travellers forced to use NHS testing service after private firms fail to deliver PCRs in time

‘All that resource used and we had already paid all that money,’ says holidaymaker

Returning travellers must take at least one PCR test (PA)

Some returning travellers have been forced to use the free NHS Covid testing service after private firms failed to deliver their mandatory day two PCR tests in time.

Reports emerged amid a week in which calls are growing louder for the government to step in and put a cap on testing costs, with companies accused of adding a huge mark-up to post-travel tests.

Sandra Parrish, a nurse, told The Guardian she had been told to go through the NHS testing service after the PCR she had ordered from Eurofins didn’t arrive in time.

“When the test didn’t turn up, [Test & Trace said] dial 119, and it was sent from the NHS.

“All that resource used and we had already paid all that money.”

Ms Parrish had paid £80 in total for a package of two PCR tests, meant to be taken on days two and eight after arriving back in the UK. The day eight test was also delivered late.

Eurofins put the delay down to “logistical problems”.

All travellers entering the UK from abroad, other than those coming from Ireland, must currently pay for at least one post-arrival PCR, regardless of whether or not they are fully vaccinated.

Heathrow Airport is calling for the government to swap pricier PCRs for more affordable lateral flow tests for passengers entering the UK.

Meanwhile, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the global private travel and tourism sector, is calling for the UK government to foot the bill for PCR travel tests for fully vaccinated travellers; either that, or accept cheaper antigen tests instead.

It follows reports that travellers dropping off their day two PCRs after returning from holiday have found public drop boxes overflowing with unsecured Covid-19 tests.

The boxes, operated by private healthcare firm Randox Health, have been spotted piled high with tests at several locations, including Sutton, Bournemouth, Bishops Stortford and Hampstead in London.

Gavin Marshall drove for half an hour to drop off a Randox day two PCR test at a collection point outside Sutton Pharmacy Surrey and Travel Clinic in Sutton, but found the box “over-flowing and insecure”. He called it a “Covid travel rip-off”.

The UK government’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has announced it will be looking into fees for Covid-19 travel tests.

The CMA is taking action following a letter from the health secretary, Sajid Javid, who relayed reports of “exploitative behaviour” and “unfair practices”.