One of the UK's biggest providers of Covid-19 PCR tests has promised to increase collections after pictures of overflowing drop-off boxes were shared online.
Randox Health said it would boost its testing capacity after struggling to meet surging demand for its services as restrictions on foreign travel were relaxed.
Customers expressed outrage over the images that showed collection points in London and Scotland piled high with tests and spilling on to the street.
Travellers who arrive in the UK must undergo at least one PCR test – sometimes costing in excess of £50 ($69) each – if they have arrived from countries on the green or amber travel lists.
Arrivals from amber-list countries must take tests on day two and day eight of their stay in the UK, adding considerably to the costs families face to go on holiday abroad.
Randox said it could provided PCR result in 24 hours, but many travellers say they are waiting much longer, often forcing them to change their travel plans.
Ben Bradshaw, a Labour party MP for Exeter, called for changes to be made to testing rules and described the current cost of PCR tests as a "rip off", particularly compared with other European countries.
He said he would raise the matter in parliament.
Randox is "constantly expanding and improving its Covid-19 testing capacity and associated logistics network, which is already the largest in the United Kingdom", to meet increasing demand as travel restrictions ease, a representative for the company said.
"Randox continues to increase the number of drop boxes across the United Kingdom, which already totals over 200, and is increasing the frequency of box collections which are already occurring multiple times per day," they said.
"Randox is providing premium testing services in dynamic and rapidly changing circumstances and is committed to continuously improving its logistics network, to ensure that international travellers receive their results in time. All of the sample kits pictured will be processed."
On Sunday, UK competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority, said it would look into the cost of Covid-19 tests for travellers.
It comes after UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said high prices for the government-mandated tests were preventing some people from going on holiday.
“People should be able to go on holiday, whether it’s to see family or just to relax, without fearing excessive fees for PCR tests," he said on Twitter.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
INFO
India team for Sri Lanka series
Test squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharath (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Sourabh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.
T20 squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Deepak Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan
The specs
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Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
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Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
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How to donate
Text the following numbers:
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Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
