Covid: PCR test not needed for fully vaccinated travellers

The travel rules will change from 31 October for fully-vaccinated travellers

Fully vaccinated travellers returning to Wales from 31 October will no longer have to take a PCR test.

Instead, they'll be able to take a lateral flow test (LFT) within two days of their arrival.

The same rule change will come into force in England a week earlier, on Sunday 24 October.

Wales' health minister said she "remained concerned" about the UK government's approach.

LFTs can be fully carried out at home and are cheaper than PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which are processed in laboratories.

If people have a positive LFT on their return from travelling overseas, they will be required to isolate for 10 days and take a follow-up PCR test.

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Jay Noble-Wade, from Cardiff, is booked to fly to Egypt on 29 October with her husband Gareth and said she was happy she'd had the nerve to hold off booking a test until it was close to their travel date.

Jay said she is happy she waited until it was close to her travelling to Egypt

"I was looking to buy the PCRs for me and my husband this weekend, so I have probably saved around £100," she said.

"I do feel for the people travelling over half-term, who will still have to buy them," she added.

Paula Reece from Rumney, in Cardiff, had been planning a holiday but said uncertainty over testing put her off.

Paula Reece, pictured with Frankie, now feels much happier about booking a holiday

"Now PCR tests won't be needed I feel much happier and am keen to book a holiday abroad in the next couple of weeks," she said.

"There is much less stress and more flexibility."

However, she said the rules should come in at the same time as in England, adding: "I think we should be in line together, it would be easier for people to understand the rules.

"It also means families who want to come together for holidays from England and Wales have the flexibility to do so."

The rules will apply to fully vaccinated travellers returning from countries that are not on the so-called red list.

People will continue to have the option of booking and taking a PCR test as the required day two test.

What are the rules for children?

All children - over the age of five and under the age of 18 - who are returning to Wales will need to take a post-arrival test.

If they are from Wales or a country whose vaccination programme is recognised by the UK, they will be able to claim fully vaccinated status and take a lateral flow test on their second day in the country.

Welsh residents who are over 16 can use a Covid pass to show their vaccination status.

'We're unhappy'

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said in the Senedd: "I think it's really important that I start by saying we are encouraging people not to travel abroad, while we're in a situation where there is a risk of importing a new variant that could cause havoc in our country.

"We're unhappy, frankly, with the situation that's happening in England, but the reality is we have an open border and most people who do travel abroad travel through English airports. So for us to have a different system would be extremely difficult.

"So the reason why lateral flow tests are coming in later in Wales compared to England is because the communication issues that we have had with the UK government."

Ms Morgan added the Welsh government "remained concerned" about the UK's government's approach and "the speed at which it is opening international travel", and that she had written to the UK Department of Health and Social Care requesting further assurances.