Lib Dems call for Govt to bring in COVID-19 testing at UK airports

Responding to news that John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow's chief executive has written to Matt Hancock to call for coronavirus testing at UK airports, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Sarah Olney said:

"Across the UK people are being asked to stay at home, avoid non-essential travel and work from home where possible. These are vital measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, protecting the NHS and saving lives. That's why the vast majority are taking these measures extremely seriously.

"However, the Government has been far less robust in it's approach to people arriving in the UK from overseas, potentially carrying the virus. It is shocking that for weeks the Government has failed to take steps to reduce - or even to assess - the risk posed by people arriving in the UK off overseas flights, with no screening or testing measures in place at UK airports.

"If we are to get a grip on this virus, testing and contact tracing will be absolutely key. Those arriving in the UK are no exception. The Government must act rapidly to step up testing at UK airports or risk undermining its own social distancing measures in the weeks ahead."