IATA Warns Governments on High Cost of Testing

IATA is calling on governments to address the high costs of COVID-19 testing, and suggests permitting the use of more cost-effective antigen tests as an alternative to the more expensive PCR tests. The group also recommended that governments adopt recent World Health Organization (WHO) guidance to consider exempting vaccinated travelers from testing requirements. According to IATA’s most recent traveller survey, 86 per cent of respondents are willing to get tested, but 70 per cent believe cost of testing is a significant barrier to travel. 78 per cent of respondents believe governments should bear the cost of mandatory testing.