Shapps will announce the changes to the controversial travel quarantine restrictions later today, according to the Telegraph.
Plans have been coming togethre for weeks to launch a ‘test and release’ scheme, that will let returning travellers reduce their self-isolation period once they test negative for Covid-19 after arrival back in the UK.
Since 10 July, business travellers and holiday makers have risked needing to self-isolate for 14 upon arrival back into the UK if their destination was placed on the high-risk red-list.
A list of quarantine-free travel corridors, destinations deemed safe to travel to without the need to self-isolate on return, has changed as infection rates increased in Europe but fell elsewhere in the autumn.
Under Shapps’ new plan, those returning from high-risk countries which do not have a a travel corridor will be able to order a Covid test, and if they test negative on the fifth day back in the UK, can be free.
The PCR tests are expected to cost between £130 and £180.
International holidays have since effectively banned since the second nationwide lockdown in England.
