'Summer holidays - you're barking up the wrong tree': Dr Hilary quashes 2021 holiday hopes

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps previously told Sky News: “What we are asking for instead is a sensitivity and what is called specificity – so up to a certain standard in other words.

“Those can be PCR tests or lateral flow tests, or LAMP tests, the point is there are enough of those around now to make this a workable approach to having one extra check.”

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office further explains the new testing rules on its travel advice pages.

It states: “From 4am on 18 January, if you intend to travel to England, Scotland, or Wales, including UK nationals returning home from travel abroad, you must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result taken up to three days before departure.