Restrictions are easing in England, and the travel industry is welcoming the change. As of Friday, fully vaccinated travellers travelling to England will no longer have to take a test before departure and, the current PCR test on Day 2 of arrival, can now be replaced with a cheaper lateral flow test.

Under the current rules in force all fully-vaccinated travellers over the age of 12 must show proof of a negative test lateral flow or PCR test taken in the two days before coming to the UK. Fully vaccinated people must also pay for a PCR test within two days of arrival and self-isolate while waiting for the result

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the pre-departure test “discourages many from travelling for fear of being trapped overseas and incurring significant extra expense”.

Airlines UK has argued that continuing the current measures would be financially disastrous for the industry.

EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren welcomed the news, saying it would make travel “much simpler and easier”, as customers could now book and travel with “confidence”.

That rule change will come into force on 11 January and for the immediate future apply to England only.