Welsh Conservatives have criticised the Labour Government and called for urgent clarity on testing plans for holidaymakers returning to Wales.
From Sunday (24 October) fully vaccinated passengers and most under 18s arriving in England from countries not on the red list can take a cheaper lateral flow test, on or before day 2 of their arrival into the UK. These can be booked from 22 October.
However, no announcement or decision has yet been taken by Labour ministers for Wales.
Calling for ‘urgent clarity’ on the issue, Welsh Conservative shadow health minister, Russell George MS said:
“Changes to testing is only possible thanks to the brilliant progress of Britain’s vaccination programme, which means we can safely open up travel as we learn to live with the virus.
“The UK Government announced some weeks ago that testing on arrival would be simpler and cheaper for people who are looking forward to well-earned breaks for the October half term, yet families across Wales are still waiting on Labour ministers to clarify whether they will adopt the new testing regime here.
“With most of the points of entry to the UK being across the border, the Labour Government has rightly said in the past that there should be one consistent policy for travel, and I can’t see why this issue should be any different.
“Labour ministers must adopt this system to cut confusion for hardworking families and ensure people aren’t punished for travelling for work or visiting friends and family just because they live the wrong side of Offa’s Dyke.
“With the new system coming into force on Sunday, families across Wales need urgent clarity on Labour’s holiday testing plans.”