The UK¡¯s transport secretary says the global travel taskforce has made good progress on what he called a ¡®test to release¡¯ programme that could be launched ¡°once we¡¯re out of lockdown¡±.

Speaking to the Airport Operators Association today, Grant Shapps said the programme would feature a single Covid test on arrival into the UK, provided by the private sector and at the cost of the passenger.

He said the scheme would allow ¡°a much reduced period of self isolation¡±.

Shapps said, ¡°Beyond the lockdown, this should encourage many more people to book flights with confidence knowing there is an option that allows them to shorten self-isolation.

¡°We have been working extensively with health experts and the private testing sector on the practicalities of the new regime. For example, making sure that it doesn¡¯t impact on NHS capacity.¡±

He added: ¡°We will report to the Prime Minister very soon, with recommendations how we can support the recovery of international tourism and travel and increase consumer confidence.¡±

Shapps said that the government was also working with a number of partner countries to consider self-isolation and testing options that could be performed before departure.

¡°I know it¡¯s been confusing for passengers trying to understand different testing regimes for each nation so we are leading international work to develop a framework for international travel to provide global consistency,¡± he said.