Revealed: Covid tests on arrival from China optional as government accused of ‘muddled thinking’
Passengers from China who arrive in the UK next week will not face compulsory Covid tests on arrival, it can be revealed.
In stark contrast to other countries, testing at Heathrow airport will be voluntary, and those who test positive will neither be quarantined or ordered to self-isolate.
The government is bringing back travel restrictions for passengers from mainland China – excluding Hong Kong – on Thursday 5 January. They must present a negative test before boarding a direct flight to London Heathrow or Manchester, currently the only two arrival points.
Since Beijing abandoned its “zero Covid” policy, the virus has spread through the People’s Republic. Beijing plans to ease international travel restrictions on 8 January, allowing more citizens to leave.
Ministers fear the sudden changes increase the risk of a dangerous variant arriving.
Mark Harper, the transport secretary, said: “China’s lack of reliable Covid data means these sensible, proportionate and temporary measures are needed ahead of their borders reopening.”
That concern is shared by Italy, the US, Japan and an increasing number of other countries that have introduced testing requirements.
Ministers have also said a “sample of arrivals” will be tested for PCR tests after touchdown.
But The Independent has learnt travellers can simply decline the invitation to be tested on arrival and leave the airport.
This policy is in stark contrast to Japan – which now tests every arriving passenger who has been in mainland China within the previous seven days. The health ministry in Tokyo says: “Those who test positive will be required to quarantine at a designated facility.”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will begin what it calls “surveillance” of arriving flights from Beijing, Shanghai and other Chinese cities to Heathrow from Sunday 8 January.
When the British plans were announced, the UKHSA’s chief medical advisor, Professor Susan Hopkins, said: “In order to improve our intelligence, we are enhancing our surveillance, in addition to our current routine testing protocol.”
Many travel industry figures inferred that passengers would be selected randomly for mandatory arrival tests, as countries such as Canada and India have done during the pandemic.
But a spokesperson from the DHSC told The Independent: “We encourage people at the border to take a test to help themselves, their families and wider knowledge on Covid.
“However the testing is optional and people can decline if they wish to do so.”
The government has indicated it hopes to test one in five passengers on arrival at London Heathrow.
Travellers from Beijing to Manchester – the only other current landing point from mainland China – will not face any tests on arrival.
Announcing the measures, the health secretary, Steve Barclay, said: “As Covid cases in China rise ahead of them reopening their borders next week, it is right for us to take a balanced and precautionary approach by announcing these temporary measures while we assess the data.
“This allows our world-leading scientists at the UK Health Security Agency to gain rapid insight into potential new variants circulating in China.
