Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce COVID-19 testing at airports; and if so, on what date they plan to introduce such testing.

The Government is actively working on the practicalities of using testing to release people from self-isolation earlier than 14 days. The Global Travel Taskforce (GTT) is working at pace to consider how testing, technology and innovation can drive a recovery for international travel and tourism, without adding to infection risk or infringing on our overall NHS test capacity.

In its work, the GTT will seek to consult representatives from:

• the transport industry, to discuss shared challenges, the value of the sector to the economy, and the future of international travel;
• international partners, to discuss different approaches to health measures at the border, and what standards and practices are needed to maintain safe international travel;
• the tourism sector and local business leaders, to consider the economic impact on domestic tourism, and how international travel can support economic recovery;
• the private testing sector, to consider capacity constraints, pricing, and how quickly testing capacity can be rolled out;
• academia and policy institutes to provide insight and innovative solutions to the challenges the sector is facing.

The Taskforce will submit its recommendations to the Prime Minister in November.