Amanda Holden has called out the government’s “senseless neglect” in the delay in introducing mandatory Covid testing for those travelling to England. 

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has just set out new rules which, from next week, will require passengers arriving in England by boat, train or plane – including UK nationals – to receive a negative test result up to 72 hours before leaving the country of departure or face a £500 fine.

Amanda could not fathom how it has taken Number 10 so long to introduce the policy, which is commonplace in many other countries. 

The Britain’s Got Talent judge posted on Instagram: “I cancelled my holiday on Boxing Day. It was hard. But I was flying with a negative test and everything was in place for a safe holiday with my family.

“WHY THEN, ARE THE UK ONLY JUST making the decision to test for covid for people coming into our country??

“We’ve all sacrificed so much in different ways. Most of us have been responsible. Had so much good will and respect for each other. Joined together and marched on through this.

“It’s made me seethe this morning hearing it on the news – the senseless year of neglect of Government rules at our borders… other countries have done it before us. Why has it taken us so long? No one seems to have an answer… or be questioning it?!! Surely this could have prevented the increase of the spread?!!!”

“Stay safe and try and keep patient and calm despite the lack of common sense being afforded to us,” Amanda added.

Mr Shapps said the new rules became a “much more urgent” requirement due to the spread of new coronavirus strains.

He told Sky News: “This is an extra check and we’re doing this now because there are these variants that we’re very keen to keep out of the country, like the South African variant, for example.

“There are the concerns about the South African one in particular about how effective the vaccine would be against it so we simply cannot take chances.”

Scotland has announced similar measures, while Mr Shapps said he was “pretty certain” that Wales and Northern Ireland would also introduce the requirement, which will become UK-wide at “some point next week”.