These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Testing Requirements and Standards) (England) Regulations 2020 (“the Testing Requirements Regulations”). Regulation 2 introduces new steps in the process by which private providers of Covid-19 diagnostic testing must become accredited by the National Accreditation Body for the United Kingdom (UKAS) and extends the final date in the Testing Requirements Regulations by which accreditation must be completed.

Regulation 3 amends the Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (England) Regulations 2021. Regulation 3(1) amends Schedule 8 to modify the application of regulation 6 of the Testing Requirements Regulations to private providers of mandatory testing after arrival in England, so that those providers only have to make one declaration of compliance to the Department. Regulation 3(2) amends Schedule 10 to apply the same accreditation process to providers of Covid-19 diagnostic testing which permits international arrivals in certain circumstances to determine whether they may cease self-isolating.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument. An explanatory memorandum has been published alongside this instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk.