伦敦——英国竞争监督机构周日表示，将调查旅客新冠肺炎检测的费用，此前英国卫生大臣萨吉德·贾维德抱怨说，政府强制检测的高价格阻碍了一些人去度假。
大多数旅行者平均每人需要75英镑(104美元)的聚合酶链反应检测，四口之家需要300英镑，但许多公司收取的费用要高得多。政府网站上列出的供应商报价从17英镑(24美元)到250英镑(347美元)不等。
贾维德说，他要求竞争和市场管理局打击测试提供商的“不公平市场行为”。
“人们应该能够去度假，无论是为了见家人还是只是为了放松，而不用担心聚合酶链反应检测费用过高，”他在周二表示推特。
监察机构有权在发现不公平行为时直接干预，但也可以直接向部长们提供建议，以便他们能够更快地采取行动。
该机构表示:“我们意识到对国际旅客新冠肺炎检测市场发展的担忧。“我们期待着就如何最好地确保旅行者能够获得负担得起且可靠的检测向国务卿提供建议。”
与此同时，卫生官员给了辉瑞公司冠状病毒周日，在夜总会首次设立的弹出式疫苗接种中心拍摄的照片。伦敦天堂俱乐部的中心是旨在鼓励年轻人接种疫苗的努力的一部分。
UK health chief sees 'unfair' pricing for COVID travel tests
LONDON -- Britain’s competition watchdog said Sunday it will look into the cost of COVID-19 testing for travelers after Health Secretary Sajid Javid complained that high prices for the government-mandated tests were preventing some people from going on vacation.
PCR tests required for most travelers average about 75 pounds ($104) each, or 300 pounds for a family of four, but many firms charge significantly more. Prices quoted by providers listed on the government website range from 17 pounds ($24) to 250 pounds ($347).
Javid said he asked the Competition and Markets Authority to crackdown on “unfair market practices” by test providers.
“People should be able to go on holiday, whether it’s to see family or just to relax, without fearing excessive fees for PCR tests,’’ he said onTwitter.
The watchdog has the authority to intervene directly when it uncovers unfair practices but it can also provide advice directly to ministers so they can take swifter action.
“We are aware of concerns about the evolving markets for COVID-19 tests for international travelers,” the agency said. “We look forward to providing the Secretary of State with advice on how best to ensure that travelers have access to tests that are affordable and reliable.”
Health officials, meanwhile, were giving Pfizercoronavirusshots Sunday at a pop-up vaccination center that was set up for the first time in a nightclub. The center at the Heaven club in London is part of an effort aimed at encouraging young people to get vaccinated.
