Passengers Arriving In England Can Cut Self-Isolation Down To Five Days Under New Testing Strategy

Passengers arriving in England will be able to reduce their self-isolation period to as little as five days under a new testing strategy.

From 15 December, international arrivals from countries not on the government's travel corridor list will have the option to take a Covid-19 test after five days of self-isolation, which must be booked through a private provider.

If the test comes back negative, they will then be permitted to end their self-isolation period.

This means the self-isolation period could be reduced to as little as five days, if the test is booked with a rapid testing service and the result is negative.

Under the 'Test to release for international travel' strategy, passengers must book their test prior to travelling and must also complete a traveller locator form.

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People who wish to make use of the scheme will have to book private tests, which are likely to cost around £100 ($133).

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: "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.

"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."

Travellers will have to wait five days before taking the test, rather taking one upon arrival in the country.

The government said this decision was taken in light of evidence which suggests a test after this period provides more accurate results, as it allows time for the virus to incubate, if present.

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Health secretary, Matt Hancock, said: "Ensuring that safe travel is possible has been a priority for the Global Travel Taskforce.

"This test on day five of the 14-day self-solation period will identify positive coronavirus cases and allow those who test negative to return to work and see their loved ones while abiding by domestic coronavirus restrictions.

"This will be done at the cost of the traveller to protect the capacity of NHS Test and Trace and ensure that any UK resident who has symptoms is able to get a test."

Eligible test providers will be shared on a gov.uk list and passengers will have the choice of visiting a private site or taking a test from home.

Those who choose not to take a test when arriving from a non-exempt country must continue to self isolate for two weeks.

Topics: UK News, Coronavirus, travel, Politics, Health

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey