International travellers returning to Wales to be able to use private providers for Covid tests
International travellers returning into Wales will soon be able to use private providers for Covid-19 tests, after a change in Welsh Government policy.
Previously, the Welsh Government's rules were that international travellers coming back to the country could only use the NHS for the PCR tests necessary for returning.
That differed from the position in England, where people could use either the NHS or a variety of different private providers.
PCR tests from the NHS cost £68 while those from private providers can be significantly cheaper.
From September 21, travellers coming back to Wales will have the same choice between the NHS or private testing firms.
In a statement health minister Eluned Morgan confirmed the change but reiterated the Welsh Government's position around international travel.
She said: "In light of the new regulations and the impact on standards for private tests, we will make changes to the rules to enable people travelling to Wales to book tests with private sector providers, if they wish, alongside NHS tests.
"These changes will come into effect from 21 September to coincide with the new standards coming into force in England.
"Our strong advice continues to be that people should not travel overseas unless the trip is essential because of the risk of contracting coronavirus, especially new and emerging variants of the virus which may not respond to vaccines."
The shift will coincide with changes in England where, also on 21 September, new regulations will come into force which will require private firms to provide results within a comparable timeframe to the NHS.
Any firms that do not will be subject to financial penalties.
The Welsh Government said it had been working with the UK and devolved Governments to address concerns over private test providers, including misleading advertised prices and slow delivery of results.
Responding to the announcement, the Welsh Conservatives criticised the "U-turn" and said the news was "far from something to celebrate".
A spokesman said: "This belated U-turn will come as little consolation to the thousands of hardworking Welsh families who’ve been clobbered by Labour’s costly testing scheme.
"Yesterday, we learned that Labour's testing scheme for holidays was grinding to a halt, so there appears to have been little option but to U-turn and give people more freedom to choose their testing provider.
"Far from something to celebrate, the timing of such an announcement after the conclusion of the summer holidays will anger many families who've been forced to fork out hundreds of pounds due to the stubbornness of Labour ministers.”
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises the UK Governments on the vaccine rollout, is expected to make a decision next week over whether jabs should be given to children aged between 12 and 15.
Coronavirus cases are at their highest levels since December, First Minister Mark Drakeford said on Friday.
In a press conference, the First Minister said there are around 520 cases per 100,000 people in Wales.
The last time rates were that high was during the peak of the second wave last winter.
Meanwhile, the UK Government appeared to rule out the introduction of vaccine passports in England.
Speaking to the BBC on Sunday's Andrew Marr Show Sajid Javid, the health secretary, said, "What I can say is that we've looked at it properly and whilst we should keep it in reserve as a potential option I'm pleased to say that we will not be going ahead with plans for vaccine passports."
The Welsh Government has said it is considering the introduction of vaccine passports for particular settings such as nightclubs.