Covid-19: England arrivals to be able to cut quarantine with private test

People arriving in England from abroad will be soon able to reduce their quarantine by more than half if they pay for a Covid test after five days, the transport secretary has announced. The rules will come into force from 15 December and the tests from private firms will cost between £65 and £120. Grant Shapps said the scheme would 'bolster international travel while keeping the public safe'. The travel industry welcomed the policy but described it as 'long overdue'. It follows Boris Johnson's announcement that England will come under 'toughened' three-tiered regional restrictions when the lockdown ends on 2 December.