Airlines UK yesterday called for day two PCR tests to be scrapped on October 4, the same date as pre-departure tests are to be axed for double jabbed holidaymakers, so that families could plan for the October half term without any continued uncertainty.

Under the new regime, PCR tests, which cost an average £70 and have to be taken on or before day two back in England, will be replaced by lateral flow tests, which cost around £40, although some companies are charging up to £150.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is expected to set out the conditions that it will require the testing companies to meet in order to prevent holidaymakers from scamming the tests.

This would require verifying the traveller through an ID or passport check, ensuring it is their sample, guaranteeing that the sample goes into a test kit so that it is that person’s result, and that, if positive, a PCR test can be done on the individual for genome sequencing to check for variants.

“It’s up to the industry to come up with solutions,” said a source. While video consultation is one option, another could replicate Gibraltar’s system where passengers pay to be swabbed on arrival at the airport, confirm their identity with a QR code and get the result by text 20 minutes later.

Insiders suggested the delay in the scrapping of the PCR tests until the end of October would give the testing industry time to put its systems in place with adequate checks.