Pre-departure coronavirus tests for travellers arriving in the UK are to be scrapped, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced.

In a huge boost to the travel industry, the new rules will mean travellers will only be required to take a lateral flow test no later than the end of day two after their arrival.

Arrivals to the UK will no longer have to self-isolate on arrival until they receive a negative PCR test as this rule is also being dropped from 4am on Friday, January 7.

The move will likely come as good news to holidaymakers planning winter breaks this year, with a number of destinations accessible via Bournemouth International Airport. 

Bournemouth Echo: Fly from Bournemouth direct to DublinFly from Bournemouth direct to Dublin

If you’re looking for a getaway without travelling too far to the airport, look no further. Here are all of the locations you can fly to direct from Bournemouth in January: 

  • Karkow, Poland from £11 return
  • Dublin, Ireland from £16 return
  • Alicante, Spain from £27 return
  • Geneva, Switzerland from £42 return

Mr Johnson told the House: “When the Omicron variant was first identified, we rightly introduced travel restrictions to slow its arrival in our country.

READ MORE: Where you can fly from Bournemouth Airport in 2022

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“But now Omicron is so prevalent, these measures are having limited impact on the growth in cases, while continuing to pose significant costs on our travel industry.

“So I can announce that in England from 4am on Friday, we will be scrapping the pre-departure test, which discourages many from travelling for fear of being trapped overseas and incurring significant extra expense.”