The United Kingdom is changing up its quarantine restrictions just in time for holiday travel. The UK government recently announced that beginning on December 15th, visitors traveling to England will only have to self-quarantine for a period of 5 days instead of the currently period of 14 days. 

This new regulation includes all International arrivals and travelers will have the option to test for COVID-19 after being quarantined. This “test and release” strategy requires travelers to pay for the test themselves and according to UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, “Our new testing strategy will allow us to travel more freely, see loved ones and drive international business.”

Shapps also says, “By giving people to choice to test on day five, we are also supporting the travel industry as it continues to rebuild out of the pandemic.”

The UK’s 14-day quarantine regulation went into effect earlier this year on June 8th. 

Although visitors will be quarantining for a shorter period of time, they still will be required to follow the UK’s COVID-19 guidelines such as social distancing and wearing a mask when in public.