A COVID testing firm has slashed their prices for holidaymakers from £120 to £60 – meaning families can save hundreds when they travel abroad this summer.
While holidays are yet to be given the go-ahead by the government, it is hoped that overseas travel will resume from May 17 through a traffic light system.
Countries will be placed on green, amber or red lists depending on how high or low risk their Covid situation.
However, even "green" countries, which will be able to skip quarantine, will require two tests when returning to the country.
Testing firm Randox has confirmed that they will be working with major UK airlines to allow travellers to pay just £60 per test, instead of £120.
They have already partnered with easyJet to offer the £60 PCR rests, while previously working with Thomas Cook to offer discounted tests for £85.
While they have not confirmed which other airlines this will be just yet, the cheaper price is another boost to a holiday abroad this summer – although will still see a family of four have to pay £240 on top of their holiday, compared to £480.
Randox managing director Dr Peter FitzGerald said: “In recognition of the needs of both the travel industry and the British public at this unprecedented time, Randox will reduce the all-inclusive cost of PCR testing for those in the UK undertaking international travel to £60 per test.
“We can see the pressures faced by both the travel industry and the general public and are committed to effective and economical testing to support holidaymakers and those undertaking international travel.”
It follows concerns that the test requirement will still price out families this summer.
Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet, warned that the Government's plan to require holidaymakers returning from "green" countries to take tests pre-departure and post-arrival will only open up international travel "for people who can afford it".
He told BBC Breakfast: "It should not be needed to put any more complexities and cost in order to travel to and from those destinations, but what the Government came up with yesterday was that they were looking to introduce a two-test system, which means that, even in those green countries, that green category of destinations, you would still need to take on additional cost to do so.
"If the Government was choosing to take one of those PCR tests, (of) which the cost is way over and above what the cost is of an average easyJet fare as an example, you wouldn't open up international travel for everyone, you would open up international travel for people who can afford it."
Thomas Cook said they were "in talks" with Covid test providers to offer discounts with CEO Alan French warnings the pricey tests would make holidays "inaccessible" to too many travellers.
Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, said: "This does not represent a reopening of travel as promised by Ministers, and the insistence on expensive and unnecessary PCR testing rather than rapid testing – even for low-risk countries – will pose an unsustainable burden on passengers, making travel unviable and unaffordable for many people."
Travellers returning from medium risk "amber" countries will have to take a pre-departure test, then self isolate at home for ten days.
They will also have to take a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 of quarantine, but could also take a private test on day 5 in order to leave self-isolation.
Travellers returning from high risk "red" countries will have to take a test before entering the UK and then pay £1,750 to quarantine in a hotel for 11 days.
They will then have to pay for two further Covid tests on day 2 and day 8 of isolation.
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