England To Cut Quarantine For Travellers From Abroad
Sumaira FH Published November 24, 2020 | 03:39 PM
Travellers to England from abroad could face a shorter spell in quarantine from mid-December, the UK government announced Tuesday in a move welcomed by the battered aviation sector
London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Nov, 2020 ) :Travellers to England from abroad could face a shorter spell in quarantine from mid-December, the UK government announced Tuesday in a move welcomed by the battered aviation sector.
From December 15, travellers arriving by air, ferry or train can end their quarantine if testing negative for Covid-19 at least five days after their arrival.
New arrivals currently have to self-isolate for 14 days, while Britain has recorded more than 55,000 deaths of people testing positive for coronavirus, the highest figure in Europe.
"This is a hugely welcome step that will begin the process of opening up international travel and restarting UK aviation," trade body Airlines UK said in a statement, as the government prepares also to lift England's lockdown next week.
Airlines UK however added that it wanted to see "a pre-departure or domestic testing regime that can remove safely the need for self-isolation altogether, as quickly as possible".
This was echoed by Johan Lundgren, chief executive of British no-frills airline EasyJet.
"We have always said that implementing an effective testing regime which reduces the length of quarantine is key to getting people travelling again," he said in a statement.
Under the relaxed plans, passengers will have to book a private screening and quarantine beforehand.
Those who choose not to be tested will have to observe a two-week quarantine.
"Our new testing strategy will allow us to travel more freely, see loved ones and drive international business," said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
"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." The UK government sets transport policy for England. The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own.
London changed course after seeing evidence that a test after five days of self-isolation "provides materially better results" than just having a test on arrival.
The new strategy is accompanied by a financial support plan for commercial airports in England.
"The aviation industry is vital to our economy -- creating jobs and driving growth," said finance minister Rishi Sunak.
"This new package of support for airports, alongside a new testing regime for international arrivals, will help the sector take off once again as we build back better from the pandemic," the chancellor of the exchequer said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 7 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 07 May 2024
Sharjah Animation Conference explores cross-cultural collaboration opportunities ..
Sharjah Public Library provides countless opportunities for young imaginations t ..
Sharjah Police launches 'Your belongings, your responsibility' awareness campaig ..
Dubai Police displays Innovative Tourism Security Services at 'ATM 2024'
Mohammad Haris, Aamir Jamal not part of national squad for Ireland, England: Bab ..
Erdogan opens former church to Muslim worshippers
Cultural events hallmark of a nation, Director RAC
Iraq hangs 11 convicted of 'terrorism': security, health sources
Stocks rise on renewed hopes of rate cuts
PM assures all-out support to Saudi investment
More Stories From World
-
UN experts slams Israel’s ‘sexual assault and violence’ against women, children in Gaza
8 minutes ago -
UN pledges to stand with Gazans amid reports Hamas has accepted ceasefire deal
8 minutes ago -
Israel bombards Rafah ahead of talks aimed at sealing truce deal
18 minutes ago -
Boeing Starliner crewed mission postponed shortly before launch
18 minutes ago -
Courtnae Paul, the S.African chasing Olympic breakdancing glory
18 minutes ago -
Boeing probed in US over possible falsified records on 787
28 minutes ago
-
Crystal Palace thrash Man Utd 4-0 to leave Ten Hag's future in doubt
38 minutes ago -
Man Utd rut 'not good enough' but Ten Hag vows to fight on
48 minutes ago -
Amazon says will invest $9 billion in Singapore
48 minutes ago -
Putin: The autocrat eyeing a new world order
48 minutes ago -
New York judge threatens Trump with jail for gag order violations
58 minutes ago -
Pakistan pushes for preventing weaponization of outer-space to avert threats to peace
2 hours ago