Published on Monday, November 23, 2020

'Test and release' scheme will 'get Britain flying again'

A 'test and release' scheme is reportedly being introduced next month, which will see the amount of time travellers have to quarantine on returning from 'high-risk' Covid countries reduced from 14 to five days.


Ministers have approved a plan to change the 14-day isolation rule from the beginning of next month.


Under the new plan, travellers will have to quarantine for five days before being tested.


If the result is negative they will be released from isolation immediately.


Fast-turnaround tests, which produce results inside an hour, will be used, the Mail on Sunday reports.


It quoted a Whitehall source: "We are keen to get people flying again when it is safe to do so, and the Prime Minister is particularly concerned about the impact we have seen on business travel.


"Cutting the quarantine time from 14 days to five has the potential to make a huge difference."


The Mail on Sunday also says the cruise industry is planning 'to make a phased restart by February', 'provided operators agree to take full responsibility for repatriating passengers and crew if they are stranded as a result of an outbreak'.

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