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* England to start new test-and-release scheme on Dec. 15
* After 5 days of quarantine, passengers can get a test
* A negative test result would end quarantine period
* Passengers will have to pay for their tests privately
(Adds minister comments)
By Estelle Shirbon
LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - England will introduce a new
system on Dec. 15 allowing passengers arriving from high-risk
countries to take a COVID-19 test after five days of quarantine
and to be released from any further self-isolation if they test
negative.
Airlines and other companies in the travel and tourism
industries had been calling for such a scheme for months, having
suffered devastating consequences from a 14-day quarantine rule
that has deterred people from travelling.
England's current lockdown bans most international travel
but when it ends on Dec. 2, people will be free to go abroad
whatever restrictions are imposed in their local area, transport
minister Grant Shapps said on Tuesday.
"You can go abroad but of course there's a penalty to pay
for that in terms of having a potential quarantine period when
you come back," he told BBC radio, when asked about the end of
lockdown.
The potential for shorter quarantine and more travel
following the end of lockdown buoyed shares in London-listed
travel companies. Holiday group TUI was up 12%, while
British Airways-owner IAG and easyJet were both
up 6%.
PRIVATE TEST
The new scheme will apply to passengers arriving from
countries not featured on the government's safe travel list,
such as France, Italy, Spain and a number of other major
destinations usually favoured by British tourists.
People travelling to England by plane, ferry or train from
Dec. 15 and wishing to take advantage of the scheme will have to
book a test with a private provider from a government-approved
list. They will have to pay for their test.
Wizz Air, which serves a handful of British
airports, announced a partnership with a testing company to
offer its passengers cheaper tests, while Gatwick Airport,
Britain's no.2 airport, has set up a testing centre.
"With this announcement there is now light at the end of the
tunnel not just for carriers and UK aviation but consumers
looking to get away at Christmas and beyond," said Tim
Alderslade, chief executive of industry group Airlines UK.
British Airways said the new scheme was "a significant step
in the right direction".
Those who decide not to take a test will still be required
to self-isolate for 14 days.
(Reporting by Estelle Shirbon and Sarah Young; editing by
William James and Angus MacSwan)
