England offers travelers shortened quarantine with Covid tests

England will chop its 14-day quarantine for arrivals from high-risk countries by almost two-thirds if they take a coronavirus test, easing restrictions on air travel just in time for the Christmas holiday rush. The new rules, which will come into force on Dec. 15, will reduce the self-isolation period to five days if a passenger tests negative for Covid-19 on or after the fifth day, the Department for Transport said Tuesday. While the announcement is a step forward for an industry battered by the travel slowdown, airlines have been seeking a complete removal of the UK’s quarantine system. The leaders of major carriers like Ryanair and BA parent IAG have roundly criticized the policy and blamed it for worsening a disastrous year for aviation. The new rules are “a vital first step to reopening the skies in the run-up to Christmas,” said Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic. However, “a five-day quarantine is likely to prove a significant deterrent for travelers, especially those on business.” He called for a move to pre-departure testing that would completely replace self-isolation.<br/>