London, Nov. 24, (dpa/GNA) – Travellers arriving in England will be able to end their quarantine period with a negative coronavirus test after five days from December 15, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced early Tuesday.
Under the new rules, passengers who arrive from a destination not on the government’s travel corridors list will still need to enter self-isolation.
But they can reduce the 14-day quarantine period by paying for a test from a private firm on or after day five at a cost of 65-120 pounds (86-158 dollars), the Press Association reported.
Results will normally be issued in 24 to 48 hours. This means people could be released from quarantine six days after arrival.
The change does not apply to people arriving in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, who must continue to self-isolate for 14 days.
“We have a plan in place to ensure that our route out of this pandemic is careful and balanced, allowing us to focus on what we can now do to bolster international travel while keeping the public safe,” Shapps said.
“Our new testing strategy will allow us to travel more freely, see loved ones and drive international business. By giving people the choice to test on day five, we are also supporting the travel industry as it continues to rebuild out of the pandemic,” the transport secretary added.
The travel industry welcomed the policy but described it as “long overdue.”
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said the announcement provided “light at the end of the tunnel” for the aviation industry and people wanting to go on holiday.
GNA