FAMILIES needing Covid test kits for their holidays are in for a shock as prices have jumped 50 per cent in recent weeks.
With Brits needing a minimum of two tests to return to the country, travellers are having to pay on average £121 each for the kits.
The current rules require all UK arrivals to have a pre-arrival test and a test on day two if returning from green list destinations.
This is also the same for any fully vaccinated Brits returning from amber list countries. Brits who are not yet fully vaccinated will need an extra test on day eight while quarantining.
However, new analysis from the MailOnline has found that prices for the mandatory tests have jumped by nearly 50 per cent, with the average price of a test kit now at £121.
Prices on the government website are listed as low as £24.99 for day two and day eight test packages – yet many of these either aren't available to the general public or are only in certain parts of the UK.
For example, the cheapest £24.99 two test kit is only for NHS nurses – with it costing £149.99 for holidaymakers.
Similarly, another test provider selling two-swab kits for £27 only offer these in Hastings, with a home kit costing £150. If you are in Abingdon, you can get a kit for £34.99 – if not, it will cost £179.
One person wrote on Twitter that a single PCR test at Gatwick jumped from £59 to £99 when trying to book, while another traveller was charged £380 for all of the amber destination tests, including a day five Test to Release.
How much are the cheapest Covid test providers really charging for amber holiday test kits?
Anglia DNA services
- £23.99 (only in Norwich) or £160 at home
Travel 19
- £24.99 (only for NHS nurses) or £149.99 at home
100 Covid Clear
- £25 (only in Gloucester) or £89 at home
Blindspot Global
- £25 (only in Chester) or £100 at home
Covid Test Centre
- £25.50 (only in Hastings) or £139 at home
Analyst Alex Macheras previously warned: “In many cases, the prices of these tests are not what they first appear.
“It may say one thing on the website, but by the time you get to checkout you are paying far more.
“Companies know how essential these tests are to customers, so make it as difficult as possible for people to make a good assessment.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has previously said the government would crack down on pricey Covid tests for holidays, to prevent families from huge bills.
Last week, a leading testing company was accused of dumping thousands of returned Covid tests in the bin while issuing fit-to-fly certificates to customers.
We've rounded up all of the airlines and airports offering Covid tests right now, with some discounts on offer – and TUI offers the best deal with £50 amber kits.
Despite this, holidaymakers are still heading abroad as tourists were spotted heading to Ibiza and Majorca yesterday following the rule change.
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