Travellers arriving in England may end their isolation period early if they test negative for COVID-19 after five days of quarantining. The new Test and Release scheme was launched on December 15.
‘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,’ Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps told The Guardian.
Travellers arriving in England may end quarantine after five days if they test negative for COVID-19.
Travellers who choose not to undergo the test must complete the mandatory isolation period, which was reduced from 14 days to 10 days from December 14.
The Test and Release scheme applies to England only and the rest of the United Kingdom including Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are subject to the reduced 10 days isolation period.
Travellers who wish to participate in the Test and Release scheme must book a test with a private provider before their return to England and are responsible for all costs involved.
‘Self-isolation is essential to reducing the spread of COVID as it breaks the chains of transmission,’ a team of the UK’s chief medical officers said according to Lonely Planet.
‘After reviewing the evidence, we are now confident that we can reduce the number of days that contacts self-isolate from 14 days to 10 days. People who test positive should continue to self-isolate for 10 days from onset of symptoms or 10 days from the point of taking a positive test if asymptomatic. We urge everyone to self-isolate when appropriate – it will save lives.’
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