Covid test providers to be issued warnings over misleading prices
The UK Government has said that 82 providers of Covid PCR tests are to be issued warnings over misleading prices, and has confirmed that its own website will be updated to reflect the true costs of Covid tests for travel purposes
On 23 August, the Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said that the 82 companies would be issued a two-strike warning and would be removed from the list of approved providers for misleading customers should they not amend their pricing. Following a rapid review of the pricing and service standards of day two and day eight testing providers listed on GOV.UK, 82 providers – making up around 18 per cent of those listed – have been identified as displaying lower prices on GOV.UK than are available on their website at the point of checkout. A total of 57 companies will be removed from the GOV.UK list as they no longer exist, or don’t provide day two and day eight testing.
Spot checks for rule compliance for Covid test providers
As part of the ongoing review, regular spot checks will be introduced from this week to make sure companies are complying with the rules to ensure prices displayed are accurate, providers are legitimate and companies have not changed their name to get back on the list.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “It is absolutely unacceptable for any private testing company to be taking advantage of holidaymakers and today’s action clamps down on this cowboy behaviour. We are also introducing regular spot checks this week to make sure all private providers follow the rules and meet our high standards of transparency.” Companies will be removed from the GOV.UK list if they fail to take action within three days of strike one as part of the new two-strike policy.
The findings of the review will be shared with the Competition and Markets Authority to support their own review of the market and align recommendations and actions.
It is hoped that the action taken by the UK Government will help ensure consumers can trust the testing providers listed on GOV.UK and only the most reliable companies are available. Tests booked for travel with companies not listed can still be used for travel, providing those companies meet legal requirements. For travellers, concerns over test costs and trustworthy providers are adding to the stress of holiday organisation, prompting many to stay within their national boundaries this year.