Passengers wearing face masks wait in front of the check-in counters at Gatwick Airport, in Gatwick, Britain. File/Reuters

Rapid antigen tests on arrival after travel can be just as effective as quarantining to stop imported cases of COVID-19, according to new research which the travel industry hopes will convince Britain to open up its borders this summer.

Britain currently bans all foreign travel, except for work, education or health reasons. However, the government is to review that next month and possibly allow it from May 17.

People wait to get a SARS-CoV-2 antigen test before entering the sports arena Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany. Reuters

But rising levels of COVID-19 infections in some European countries and warnings from UK government ministers not to book trips has led to worries that the holiday ban could be extended.

Research commissioned by airlines British Airways-owner IAG, Virgin Atlantic and others found that a single on-arrival antigen test is as effective as a ten-day self-isolation period in reducing imported cases of COVID-19.

Last year, Britain’s 10-day quarantine rules for arrivals from most countries hammered the travel industry, deterring people from taking trips.

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After a year of restrictions and minimal revenues airlines are desperate for travel to restart, and when it does they want less risky destinations to be exempt from the requirement to quarantine.

The research, published by consulting firm authors Oxera and Edge Health on Thursday, has been submitted to Britain’s Global Travel Taskforce. The taskforce is reviewing how and when travel should restart and will report on April 12.

“We believe that international travel can safely restart at scale, using a risk-based, phased easing of testing requirements and border restrictions, that follows the scientific evidence,” Virgin Atlantic’s chief executive Shai Weiss said.

For higher-risk countries, a two-test strategy could be a viable option to quarantine, said the report.

Reuters