COVID-19 tests for arriving passengers via Corporate Travel Management (CTM) website: FOI release

Information requested

"Please explain why the Scottish Government requires all Corona Virus Tests for arriving passengers to be booked through the Corporate Travel Management (CTM) website."

Response

The UK Government (UKG) led by its Department of Health and Social Care are the principle contract owners and managers of the Managed Quarantine Service (MQS) and testing packages. The UKG are therefore best placed to provide information in relation to the procurement process adopted in the implementation of the MQS contract and its delivery.

Travellers returning from green and amber list countries must use the NHS tests, which can be booked through the UK Government’s Corporate Travel Management CTM booking portal for international travel. These kits are home test PCR kits provided by NHS Test & Trace. The cost of the kits is set by the UK Government and the process managed through its contract with the travel management company, so we are unable to influence the cost of these.

Currently, we are not using private test providers for international travellers arriving into Scotland from green and amber list countries due to concerns about the speed and reliability of the flow of data from private companies. We are having on-going discussion with the UK government on any issues with using private test providers and any risks attached to this. We are keen to understand fully the key performance indicators (KPIs) that have been recently set for these companies and the process should these not be met. Currently the regulations require individuals to book their testing packages through a public provider.

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The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.