Pre-departure tests for UK reintroduced

From next Tuesday, 7^th December, all passengers over the age of 12 arriving in England must take a pre-departure Covid test in the 48 hours before their arrival, the UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps announced yesterday.

The news places many holiday-makers on Lanzarote and throughout the rest of Spain in the position of having to arrange the tests before their departure during a Bank Holiday weekend in Spain.

The current rules also require all arrivals to the United Kingdom to book a further test on arrival and remain in quarantine until a negative result is confirmed.

Those planning to travel to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland are advised to watch developments closely, as similar measures may be introduced in the near future.

No reason for the decision has been given, but the British government is clearly concerned about the spread of the new Omicron variant, although it has caused no deaths yet. Worries over Christmas meetings are also certain to have informed the decision in a country where 827 people died of Covid in the last week.

Shapps’ announcement came just two days after he had told the Daily Telegraph that pre-departure tests would not be required.

Where to get tested:

Clinics and testing centres can be found in all of Lanzarote’s three major resorts, as well as in the capital Arrecife.

An antigen test, usually costing between €20-€35 is sufficient for UK requirements, and results are usually emailed to clients rapidly.Although some clinics may perform tests without appointment, we would strongly recommend booking ahead.

The following centres all provide Covid tests, although we cannot confirm their opening hours over this Holiday weekend.

Airport

The Eurofins test centre at the airport provides rapid tests, with results within half an hour, for €29. Appointments must be booked online at https://trustoneapp.com/registration/eurofinsmegalab/