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30-04-2021, 11:03 AM
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Thousands of travellers continue to test positive on return to UK

Test providers say they are overwhelmed ahead of international travel restarting

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/04...n-of-holidays/ - Which? (extract)

Private testing providers approved by the government have told us they’ve been overwhelmed by the demand for tests from people entering the UK. This is despite the fact that relatively few people are using the system, as it’s currently illegal to take a holiday abroad.

Since February anybody arriving in the country must take an expensive test on day 2 and day 8 after their arrival. There have been huge numbers of complaints from travellers about test results not arriving on time. Some haven’t received day 2 results until day 20. Others describe the police turning up at their door to ask why they haven’t been tested. Now some providers themselves have admitted that they’re struggling to cope.

Currently only those with an essential reason to travel can do so. This problem will be much worse when holidays and non-essential travel restart. Yet some providers have told us that more than 2% of travellers are testing positive on average. If that were typical it would mean that thousands of people a week have been entering the country with Covid.

The government plans to introduce a ‘traffic light’ system for international travel from 17 May. But people coming from the lowest risk ‘green’ countries will still need to take a test on or before day 2 of their arrival. Those arriving from an ‘amber’ country will still need to take tests on day 2 and day 8. Those coming from ‘red’ countries will have to quarantine in a hotel as well as taking both tests.

One laboratory suggested that up to 20,000 people might need these tests each day, even before holiday travel restarts. That would mean every day 20,000 samples are sent out, 20,000 samples returned and 20,000 sent to the laboratories for testing. Most of these are sent by the Royal Mail, although some companies have now started to offer the option of using a courier. With Nationwide Pathology, sending kits through the post costs £159 but using a courier costs £209.

The importance of testing for arrivals in the UK is illustrated by the fact that one firm said 2.6% of its tests were positive. This is despite the fact that all of those people would have had to have shown a negative test certificate prior to departure in their countries of origin. Assuming 20,000 people a day arriving in the country that means over 3,500 of them would be testing positive each week.
Another private sector testing cockup .....
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30-04-2021, 11:36 AM
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Re: Thousands of travellers continue to test positive on return to UK

A loophole allowing stranded Australians to return home from India has been closed by the federal government, after it emerged people were evading travel restrictions.

Earlier this week Prime Minister Scotty from Marketing announced Australia would temporarily stop flights from India, in response to the nation's escalating coronavirus crisis.

But yesterday Qatar Airways confirmed it was still possible for passengers to travel from the coronavirus-devasted nation to Australia, through Doha.

The airline said all passengers needed were the relevant documents and proof of a negative COVID-19 test, taken 48 hours prior before arriving in Doha.

Two Australian cricketers managed to return from India on a flight from Doha on Thursday afternoon, without any special permission or exemptions.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-...ovid/100106306
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30-04-2021, 01:38 PM
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Re: Thousands of travellers continue to test positive on return to UK

We should know by now that human nature being what it is will often/always find ways around obstacles particularly of this nature. It is perhaps amazing that so many actually are willing to follow the safety rules laid down? The Doha slip is just an example of the lack of top quality skilful vigilance that good governments should not allow to happen
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30-04-2021, 01:52 PM
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Re: Thousands of travellers continue to test positive on return to UK

This thread is about the UK NOT India .....
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01-05-2021, 02:16 AM
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Re: Thousands of travellers continue to test positive on return to UK

Returning residents from the UK are not subject to imprisonment or $66000 fines.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says a travel ban preventing Australians returning from India is "drastic" but is "designed to keep Australians safe".
The temporary ban begins on Monday and applies to any travellers who have visited India within 14 days of their intended arrival date in Australia.

Changes to the Biosecurity Act mean Australians could face up to five years in jail and heavy fines if they flee the COVID-ravaged country to return home.
 

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