Boris Johnson has announced that coronavirus testing for fully vaccinated travellers arriving in England will be axed and Lancashire’s travel industry has spoken out about the news.

Double-vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to take a coronavirus test when arriving in the UK from February 11, the Transport Secretary has said, in a boost for half-term holidays.

Grant Shapps said the policy of post-arrival lateral flow tests had “outlived its usefulness”, telling the Commons on Monday that the change would help the aviation industry to “take back to the skies”.

Since the announcement, East Lancashire’s travel agents have been voicing their excitement at the news with many saying it is a positive move for the industry.

Scott Harrison, manager of Brunlea Travel on Hammerton Street in Burnley, says the company is “cautiously optimistic” about the rule change – but hopes they remain in place for the long term.

He said: “I hope this rule will remain in place – but we have had the rules change on us before.

“However, we hope the rule relaxation can boost some revenue for the industry in the coming weeks.”

Scott believes that the often changing and sometimes confusing rules around coronavirus testing have actively put off travellers from booking holidays.

In December, the government tightened rules around Covid testing for travellers in a bid to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

Travellers were required to take a pre-departure test before travelling to England.

When the restriction was announced, Scott said he noticed an “overnight” change and a surge in cancellations and travel amendments.

He said: “When Covid testing was reintroduced for travellers back in November we noticed a big switch.

“We had been quite buoyant for a couple of months but overnight we were back to customers cancelling, making amendments or delaying their holidays.”

Trading at Brunlea is 15-20 per cent lower than pre-pandemic levels - but Scott hopes this new rule change and give the travel industry a boost.

He said: “I think this new announcement could be the extra boost people need to keep booking their trips away.

“I also think the last two years have shown the true value of booking with a travel agent instead of online.

“So many people have come to us over the last years after struggling to get the right advice or relevant refunds.

“We’ve has customers we haven’t seen in a while returning to us as we have been able to help them with travel information and changing Covid restrictions.”

A spokesperson’s for Manchester Airport also spoke out about the announcement and said it was “excellent news” for the sector’s recover.

Charlie Cornish, Group CEO of the Manchester Airport Group (MAG), said: "This important announcement is excellent news for our sector's recovery.

“This change will be welcomed by the millions of vaccinated people who are desperate to travel and will now be able to do so – restriction-free – for the first time in more than a year.

"The latest research shows travel restrictions do very little to stop the spread of variants like Omicron. Removing them will ensure the many cultural, social and economic benefits of international travel can be realised without any major impact on public health.

"With Britain reopened for business, we’re looking forward to helping people across the country get back to visiting exciting new places, finding fresh trading opportunities overseas, and travelling to see friends and loved ones again.”