Call for pre-flight UK testing to stop super strain spread

A call for mandatory coronavirus tests for anyone flying from the UK to Australia has been deemed unnecessary by the federal government.

Passengers have their temperature taken in London's Heathrow Airport. Picture: AFP

Anyone flying to Australia from the UK should be subjected to mandatory coronavirus tests before boarding to stop further spread of a super contagious strain, according to the state government.

But the federal government — in charge of international borders — says it is not necessary, instead touting the strength of Australia’s mandatory quarantine program.

The US this week announced anyone flying in from Britain would be required to show they had tested negative for the virus.

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said it was critical to do everything possible to ­reduce the risks until a vaccine was available, calling on Canberra to act.

“We back a requirement for all airline passengers arriving into Australia to provide proof of a negative result for coronavirus before departing and we would support the federal government to consider introducing this important measure,” Mr Foley said.

“Getting tested and only flying when you are well helps slow the spread of coronavirus and limits the possibility of cases entering our state.

“A national approach would be most effective in dealing with this issue.”

When asked if Australia should consider testing measures alongside quarantine, Health Minister Greg Hunt said Chief Health Officer Paul Kelly did not think it was ­required.

“(The experts) have concerns that a test does not in any way guarantee that someone is not symptomatic when they fly, or when they arrive in Australia,” Mr Hunt said.

“Only that 14 days (of quarantine) provides the full guarantee that Australians require.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says experts do not feel pre-flight testing is required. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“The medical expert panel will continue to view advice from around the world and if they believe that other measures are necessary, they’ll adopt them, but they won’t be watering down that Australian approach.”

So far, at least five people have tested positive to the mutated COVID-19 strain in Australia — two each in NSW and Victoria and another in South Australia. All were in hotel quarantine.

Some airlines already ask passengers to provide a recent negative rest result but it is not compulsory.

Pre-flight testing would not pick up passengers incubating the virus and could not be relied upon, a spokesman for the federal Department of Health said.

“No single or combination of tests at present are sensitive and reliable enough to detect a person incubating the infection,” the spokesman said.

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