Covid: Chaotic start to airport coronavirus testing

A new system meant to cut quarantine times for travellers arriving in England has been beset with problems on its first day.

Travellers are allowed to end self-isolation early if they pay for a coronavirus test and test negative five days after arriving.

The government picked 11 firms to carry out the private tests.

But a number of them have hit problems. One said it could not provide any more tests nor even answer queries.

The government approved the list of companies allowed to provide the Test to Release scheme on Monday night.

One company, SameDayDoctor, has asked to be withdrawn from the programme.

It posted a message on its website stating: "Unfortunately we have been so overwhelmed with requests for Test and Release that we cannot answer any more emails nor take any more bookings."

The Prime Minister's official spokesman told the Press Association: "We have made this option available to international travellers and we are working to approve more test providers."