LONDON (UK) – People travelling to Hong Kong and Italy from Heathrow Airport will have to undergo a one-hour COVID-19 test as part of a bid to facilitate international travel, said The Times on Tuesday.
The newspaper said that rapid tests will be in place for travellers from Tuesday so that they can enter countries which mandate a negative COVID test to avoid quarantine.
Travellers will have to pre-book a test for 80 pounds.
The newspaper said that for outbound passengers at Heathrow, aviation services firms Collinson and Swissport have set up testing facilities, which will be open for four weeks initially and can be extended if required.
The Financial Times carried a report saying airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Cathay Pacific are offering the testing facility in Terminals 2 and 5.
Transport Minister Grant Shapps said on Monday that the government would push for a pact with the US to have new travel corridors.