LONDON (UK) – Britain is working to cut down the 14-day quarantine period for people arriving from countries including Spain and France. This would prove to be a relief for some in the travel industry from the impact of COVID-19.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said rather than going for a simple test when travellers alight at an airport, the government was looking at ideas such as testing eight days after arrival.
Airline and tour companies have also aired concerns regarding a change in the 14-day quarantine rules.
Hancock said on LBC radio on Monday, “We are working to find a way that would allow for the quarantine to be reduced, but done in a way that also keeps people safe.”
“The reason it doesn’t work is because this virus can incubate for a period inside your body without a test being able to pick it up,” he said.
“It is one of the things we’d like to bring in as soon as it’s practical to do it,” he said.
“It is something that we are working on, but it isn’t something that is as straightforward as simply testing people when they get off a plane because of the number of people for whom that wouldn’t catch.”