Private COVID-19 tests to cut quarantine time for England arrivals

A revolutionary new scheme is about to launch in the UK that would let overseas arrivals skip two weeks of quarantine – at a price.

Arrivals in England will be able to avoid a full two weeks of quarantine if they fork out for a private COVID-19 test after five days in a test-and-release scheme designed to “bolster international traffic”.

Under the scheme, which begins on December 15, foreign travellers in mandatory self-isolation can pay for a test at a private clinic, and if they return a negative result they’ll be released from quarantine.

Tests from private firms in England cost between £65 and £120, or $A118 and $A218, per person. Results are generally returned within 24 to 48 hours, which means people could stop self-isolating after just six days, according to the BBC.

Self-isolation on arrival in England is mandatory for travellers from countries that are not on the British Government’s “travel corridor” list.

Australia is on the list, along with about 70 countries and territories that are also considered safe. That means Australians can theoretically travel to England without needing to self-isolate on arrival.

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The new scheme would mean overseas arrivals in England could significantly shorten their spell in quarantine. Picture: Justin Tallis /AFP

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British transport secretary Grant Schapps said the new scheme would “bolster international traffic 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.”

The scheme so far only applies to England, and to travellers who are staying in that country. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to commit to a similar plan.

“It is important that any travellers arriving in the UK understand, and respect, the different restrictions in place in the different nations,” a spokesperson for the Scottish government told the BBC.

England’s test-and-release scheme is among a range of strategies being adopted by governments keen to reopen borders and boost international travel while keeping the risk of COVID-19 transmission low.

A passenger is tested at Heathrow Airport in October. Picture: LHR Airports/AFP

Singapore, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Turkey, Croatia, Greece, The Maldives and island nations in the Pacific and the Caribbean are among the destinations where travellers are tested on arrival or have to present proof of a negative test before their flight.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison flagged on Wednesday international travellers flying to Australia without proof of a COVID-19 vaccination may be required to quarantine at their own expense.

“We’re obviously working through those issues now, but look, where people have the choice of two weeks of quarantine or being vaccinated, I think that will be an incentive, unless there’s a genuine medical reason why,” Mr Morrison said.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has also hinted at the vaccination passport plan but stressed the policy was still under discussion.

“So there’s been no final decision, but we’ve been clear, and I’ve given guidance previously that we would expect that people coming to Australia while COVID-19 is a significant disease in the world will either be vaccinated or they will isolate. That’s early guidance,’’ he said.

“The likely course of events during 2021 is if somebody comes to Australia and a vaccine is widely available, either they’ll be vaccinated with verification or they’ll have to quarantine.”

Qantas has flagged proof of vaccination for international travellers once a vaccine is made available. Picture: Brendan Radke

It comes after Qantas boss Alan Joyce said COVID-19 vaccination would be a “necessity” for passengers on international flights.

Global airline group, the International Air Traffic Association, is working on a Travel Pass mobile app that would manage travellers’ test results and vaccination information, as well as their passport information, so governments and airlines could determine who was safe to travel.

The chief executive of Airlines UK, which represents UK-based carriers, told the BBC pre-departure tests to replace quarantining on arrival was “the only way we’re going to comprehensively reopen the market”.

The boss of budget airline Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, told BBC Radio 4 testing of travellers bound for England should happen before departure, and not on arrival.

He said the carrier would not consider requiring proof of vaccination on short-haul flights.