Covid: Welsh Government to allow lateral flow tests for non-red list travellers

Fully-vaccinated travellers arriving in Wales from a non-red list country will be able to take a lateral flow coronavirus test instead of a more expensive PCR.

The change comes into effect from from Sunday October 31, a week later than the introduction of the policy in England by the UK Government.

Currently, fully vaccinated flyers are required to take a post arrival PCR test on day two after arriving in Wales, however this will be replaced by a lateral flow test which are free to access from pharmacies, testing centres, or ordered online.

First Minister Mark Drakeford had previously called the UK Government’s decision to scrap PCR tests 'most concerning’, while acknowledging it would be difficult to pursue a different policy here to one adopted in England.

In a statement, the Welsh Government said: "We remain concerned about the UK Government's approach - and the speed at which it is opening up international travel and its decisions to change the border health measures, which are important protections to prevent the risk of new cases - and new variants of coronavirus - from entering the UK.

"We have consistently urged the UK Government to take a precautionary approach towards reopening international travel.

"However, it is difficult for us to adopt a different testing regime to that required by the UK Government, as the majority of Welsh travellers enter the UK through ports and airports in England.

"Having different testing requirements would cause significant practical problems, confusion among the travelling public, logistical issues, enforcement at our borders and disadvantages for Welsh businesses."

Earlier this month the Welsh Government cut the number of countries on the ‘red list’ down from 54 to seven, with countries such as Mexico and South Africa removed.

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