New Coronavirus testing option to reduce mandatory two weeks self-isolation period by two thirds could add some £500 to the package holiday bill for a family of four

 Julian Bray, the aviation expert writes:

Testing option for passengers arriving into England to be introduced from 15 December 14-day self-isolation period is only reduced by up to two thirds on receipt of a  negative COVID-19 test which has to be paid for by each traveller from a private provider after five days of isolation. Penalties for those breaching the self-isolation rules when arriving from non-exempt countries have increased from £1,000 for first offences up to £10,000 for subsequent offences, mirrors penalties for anyone breaching self-isolation following a positive COVID test or contact from Test & Trace. All travellers, including those from exempt destinations, will still be required to show proof of a completed passenger locator form on arrival into the UK unless they fall into a small group of exemptions.

All Passengers arriving into England are able to reduce mandatory self-isolation by up to a week or more, as the Government launches its latest set of rules for testing international arrivals. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that from 15 December, all passengers arriving into England from countries not featured on the Government’s travel corridor list will have the option to take a self-funded test after five days of self-isolation, with a negative result releasing them from the need to isolate. Mr Shapps speaking earlier on the BBC, says the private tests could cost anything between £60 to £120 per person. They say the complex series of moves which do require careful planning if they are to avoid greatly increased fine or penalty payment of £10,000 if not followed.  The move will enable passengers to return home to the UK and isolate for a shorter period if they have received a negative test.  Those opting in to the scheme are required to book and pay for a COVID-19 test from a private provider on the gov.uk list, the expensive SERCO operated NHS Test and Trace cannot be used. A Test from a private contractor on the Govt approved list are thought to cost around £120 per person, adding £480 to a package holiday cost for a family of 4. Although this additional cost and the approved Government list of private providers of the test have yet to be announced.   The new rules under the test to release for international travel requires all , passengers arriving into England by plane, ferry or train should book their test before they travel; must complete a passenger locator form; and will still need to self-isolate for five days before taking a test – rather than taking it at their port of arrival. Financial Support for Airports  The Government is also introducing new financial support for English airports and ground handlers serving them. The funding will be available to commercial airports in England. The aim is to cover fixed costs and equivalent to the business rates liabilities of each business, capped at up to £8 million per site, and subject to certain conditions. The scheme opens in the New Year. The Government has considered the evidence which demonstrates that a test after five days of self-isolation provides materially better results than just having a test on arrival, as it allows time for the virus, should it be present, to incubate helping reduce the risk of a false negative result. Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, said: “Ensuring safe travel is possible has been a priority. This test on day five of the 14-day self-isolation period will identify positive coronavirus cases and allow those who test negative to return to work and see their loved ones while abiding by domestic coronavirus restrictions. “This will be done at the cost of the traveller to protect the capacity of NHS Test and Trace and ensure that any UK resident who has symptoms is able to get a test.” Passengers will be able to book a test from a provider on a gov.uk list before arriving in England. If they choose to book a test, they will need to state this on their passenger locator form prior to arriving and then go straight into self-isolation at home as usual. If they choose to opt in after arrival, they will need to resubmit their passenger locator form. They can then take a test on or after day five of the isolation period either at home or at a private provider’s testing site, and on receipt of a negative result, can immediately finish self-isolating and return to following domestic rules.   Those choosing not to take a test when arriving from a non-exempt country must continue to follow the current self-isolation requirements (two weeks). The testing strategy is one outcome of the Government’s Global Travel Taskforce report recently presented to the Prime Minister, which also sets out a pathway to restarting the cruise sector. The recommendations are based on advice from a consortium of expert representatives from the aviation, maritime, international rail, tourism and hospitality industries to boost international travel for all modes, whilst safeguarding public health in the UK. The Government will also continue to work with international partners and representatives across the transport industries to further build on the recommendations in the report, including exploring pre-departure testing pilots with partner countries on a bilateral basis. COVID-19 has profoundly changed the nature of international travel. Travellers should always check the latest advice from the FCDO.

And now the small print: Government has also published the JBC methodology used to help inform Ministerial decisions on additions and removals from the Travel Corridor list. The self-isolation period is being cut by two thirds of the current time, based on the fact that the current system requires people to effectively isolate for 15 days. This is because the isolation period needs to be a full 14 days after a passenger lands, which, including travel time, may mean that the remaining hours of the first day after landing are not included.  Passengers will be released on day five should the result come back on the same day. The list of private test providers will be available on gov.uk closer to implementation on 15 December. If, for any reason, a passenger who has not booked a test changes their mind once they have arrived, they can still book a test as long as they resubmit their passenger locator form. Using an NHS Test and Trace test will not legally permit anyone to be released from self-isolation.  Since tests will be provided privately the Government cannot guarantee access to private tests – or the price of tests - for this purpose. Government says it will continue to work with the JBC to inform decisions on travel corridors and the process will continue to be reviewed on a weekly basis. The full list of members of the Global Travel Taskforce is available here - https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/global-travel-taskforce. Penalties for those breaching the self-isolation rules when arriving from non-exempt countries have increased from £1,000 for first offences up to £10,000 for subsequent offences, mirroring penalties for those breaching self-isolation following a positive COVID test or contact from Test & Trace.. All travellers, including those from exempt destinations, will still be required to show proof of a completed passenger locator form on arrival into the UK unless they fall into a small group of exemptions.