Advertisement

Airport testing could tackle Covid transmission rates, say Government advisers

TELEMMGLPICT000236170299.jpeg
TELEMMGLPICT000236170299.jpeg

Airport testing has been backed by Government scientific advisers, who say it could help reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Scientists with SAGE, the Government's main scientific advisory body, said they were concerned at the “developing situation” around infections being imported into the UK by people arriving in the country.

It said that the introduction of testing at borders could provide “important surveillance data” and “potentially reduce onward transmission” of the disease by encouraging travellers and their contacts to quarantine.

The disclosure is a major boost for The Daily Telegraph’s Test4Travel campaign after criticism of ministers for dragging their feet over airport testing.

Heathrow has built a facility which could test 13,000 passengers a day but it is standing idle in the absence of the Government backing a trial of the technology.

It is understood the SAGE report has been considered by ministers who are thought to be keen to explore testing but have been sidetracked by the crisis over test and tracing.

Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, indicated the Government favours a two-step testing regime, initially before departure or on arrival, and then five or eight days after the first test to capture asymptomatic travellers when they enter the UK.

The report by SAGE’s Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling warned that the “small minority of infections” being imported into Britain by travellers posed a “threat” and was likely to remain a source of outbreaks.

“Although testing at borders is unlikely to have significant impact on importation rates, it would provide important epidemiological surveillance data and potentially reduce onwards transmission if it results in higher adherence to quarantine periods and activating onwards contact tracing,” said the report.

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: “The case for arrivals testing is a strong one, with SAGE recognising the advantages of testing to help gather valuable data, and send the right signals to the public about the need to follow the rules.

“The aviation industry is ready to work with Government to get going immediately with airport testing that doesn’t take up NHS test capacity but can deliver better outcomes than a blunt two week quarantine and get the UK taking to the skies again – which is critical to our economic recovery.”

Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association (AOA), said: “The AOA has been calling on the Government to develop a system of testing for international travellers which can facilitate the reduction, and ultimately elimination, of quarantine.

“This, combined with targeted financial support, is an essential element to facilitate the safe and meaningful restart of UK aviation which is fundamental to the Government’s levelling up and global Britain agendas."

More than 30 countries have introduced airport testing including France, Germany, China, Singapore and Iceland.

In an article for The Daily Telegraph British Airways chief executive Alex Cruz warned that the airline could only survive if airport testing was introduced instead of a 14 day quarantine to encourage more Britons to fly again.