Covid 'test-and-release' system for airlines hopefully in place by December, says Shapps

Aviation industry says planned seven-day waiting time still ‘not going to cut the mustard’

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A ‘test-and-release system’ to cut the quarantine period for international arrivals to the UK should be in place by 1 December, the transport secretary has said.

Grant Shapps said he was “extremely hopeful” that the system, which would require a single coronavirus test to be taken about a week after arrival and paid for privately, would be ready in six weeks’ time, depending on sufficient tests being available through the private sector.