The UK government announced a change to the quarantine rules. From 15th December, people arriving in England will be able to cut down the current 14-day quarantine period if they pay for a Covid test after five days.
All passengers from countries that are not on the government’s safe Travel Corridor list will have the option to take a test from a private provider after five days of self-isolation, and a negative result will release them from the need to isolate. Those that choose not to take the private test will need to quarantine for two weeks.
According to a BBC news report,
- the tests results are expected within 24 to 48 hours, and
- tests will cost between £65 and £120.
If negative, this process will cut self-isolation down to a minimum of 6 days after arrival if they test negative.
All passengers from countries that are not on the government’s safe Travel Corridor list will have the option to take a test from a private provider after five days of self-isolation, and a negative result will release them from the need to isolate. Those that choose not to take the private test will need to quarantine for two weeks.
Passengers due to arrive in England should book the test before travel from a list due to be published on the gov.uk website, and will still need to complete a passenger locator form.
Arrivals from countries on the safe Travel Corridor list will continue to be exempt from the need to self-isolate.