LONDON: England on Saturday reduced Covid-19 test costs for international travelers from Amber list countries such as India from 88 pounds to 68 pounds (USD 122 to USD 94), after many representations on charges of testing.
Passengers return from green list countries or yellow list destinations such as India, if they are fully vaccinated, now it will pay 20 pounds (USD 27) less per test of polymerase chain reactions (PCR).
The test must be taken on or before the second day after tourists arrive in England.
People who do not have a dose of coronavirus vaccine and return from the Amber list countries like India will also see the price of two tests they need falling from 170 pounds to 136 pounds (USD 235 to USD 188).
The test must be taken on two days and eight of their arrival from abroad.
Price reduction does not affect the arrival of the red list countries, or if they buy tests from private providers, said the Ministry of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
National Health Services Test and Trace (NHS) provide Covid-19 tests for international travel, but not like a normal lateral flow test (LFT) or PCR for people with symptoms, they are paid.
UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid has announced “fast internal reviews” prices charged by the company approved by the government after tourist claims are being exploited for personal testing.
“I have ordered my department to immediately review a list of private providers in GOV.UK to ensure more clear and transparent prices,” Minister said on Saturday.
“Every provider found misleading the public will be issued.
Too many providers acting like cowboys and those who need to be stopped.
The public must be allowed to enjoy their summer vacation without having to deal with excessive costs or anxiety,” he said.
Javid has also assigned a broader review by the competition and the UK market authority (CMA) to overcome differences in testing prices.
Since last weekend, India was transferred from a travel ban on a red list to Amber – which meant travelers who entered the UK could isolate themselves to their addresses designated on the passenger locator form, not only at the hotel mandated by the government at an additional cost.