Government Slashes Coronavirus Holiday Quarantine From Two Weeks To Five Days

The government has slashed the UK's coronavirus self-isolation period after travel to just five days from December 15th, if people can present a negative Covid-19 test.

Under the new regulations - announced on Tuesday - holidaymakers who arrive in the UK from a destination which isn't on the government's travel corridors list will still need to self-isolate, but only for five days rather than the originally stipulated two weeks.

This is only if the traveller has paid for a private Covid-19 test which proves they are negative.

And tests can cost anywhere from £65 to £120.

In a statement today, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the move was 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," he said.

"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."

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, explained the reason people would have to fork out for a Covid-19 test privately was to "protect the capacity of NHS Test and Trace and ensure that any UK resident who has symptoms is able to get a test".

More to follow...