People traveling to United Kingdom must present a negative test before leaving to stop the spread of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus, announced the British government, a measure that caused discontent in the tourism sector.
From Tuesday at 04:00 (local and GMT), “Anyone over 12 years old who wants to travel to the United Kingdom must present a negative test (antigen or PCR) “carried out a maximum of 48 hours before departure, to” stop the importation of the new variant, “the executive said in a statement on Saturday night.
Until now, travelers arriving in the UK had to undergo a PCR no later than two days after arrival, and isolate themselves until the results were obtained.
This new obligation was very badly received by the tourism industry, which was just beginning to recover after the impact of the pandemic.
Clive Wratten, director de la Business Travel Association, described it as a “blow” for the sector while Tim Alderslade, from the association of airlines Airlines UK, considered it “premature”, in the absence of having all the clinical data on Omicron.
“I know it is a burden on the travel industry but we have made tremendous progress in this country,” with about 81% of those over 12 years vaccinated and a booster dose administered to 34% of the eligible population, the vice replied. Prime Minister Dominic Raab, in Sky News.
“We must take precise measures to prevent the new variant from being implanted in the country and creating an even bigger problem,” he said.
The United Kingdom has so far detected 160 cases of the Omicron variant.
Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx