FOI Ref: FOI/2021/2838
You asked
I would like to request current data about positive COVID-19 tests for all passengers entering the UK for any reason and from any country irrespective of whether they are UK nationals.
It all seems very out of date. How many people entering since 19 July from anywhere by any means, for any purpose were positive?
How many never completed the testing regime having paid for it?
We said
Thank you for your request.
Unfortunately, we do not hold data for all passengers entering the UK for any reason. This query would be better placed with Public Health England (PHE), as they are responsible for wider testing. They can be contacted via email at wn_coronavirus@phe.gov.uk.
However, you may be interested in the latest data from our International Arrivals Insights Survey (12 to 17 July 2021). This is based on telephone interviews with adults (including UK and non-UK residents) arriving into England from an amber listed country or territory. Respondents were asked if they had taken the required day 2 and day 8 coronavirus tests. They were also asked about the test results. Data showing the proportion of travellers who took the tests and the test outcomes can be found in the table available at this link: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/adhocs/13692coronavirusandquarantineafterarrivinginenglandfromanamberlistcountry12to17july2021supplementarydatatable
You may also be interested in Table 2.2 in our recent release, which shows equivalent data about testing for those who opted into the voluntary Test to Release scheme.
Please note, the estimates are based on a survey of 848 respondents and are presented as percentages rather than actual numbers for quality reasons.
In addition to this survey, since January 2021 we have collected information about attitudes and behaviours towards COVID-19 regulations from travellers arriving into the UK (both UK residents returning to the UK and overseas visitors) as they passed through airports, ports and international rail stations. The travellers were asked whether they thought a coronavirus (COVID-19) test was very important for safety. Results show that there has been a decline since February in the proportion of travellers who felt a coronavirus (COVID-19) test was very important for safety. The latest report (February-July 2021) can be found here.