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The former boss of Aer Lingus has demanded that the self-isolation requirement in Ireland and the UK for international arrivals is replaced by Covid-19 tests before departure.<\/p>\nThe former boss of Aer Lingus has demanded that the self-isolation requirement in Ireland and the UK for international arrivals is replaced by Covid-19 tests before departure.<\/p>\n
Sean Doyle, who was appointed chief executive of British Airways last week, told the Airlines 2050 summit of industry leaders that \u201cwe do not believe quarantine is the solution\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe believe the best way to reassure people is to introduce a reliable and affordable test before flying.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the UK, this approach reduces the stress on the NHS testing systems within the UK and on policing the quarantine system.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we look abroad to our near neighbors, we see that business travel and indeed tourism is being prioritized by some countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to get the economy moving again and this just isn\u2019t possible when you\u2019re asking people to quarantine for 14 days.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s our view that even if that quarantine period is reduced to seven days, people won\u2019t travel here and the UK will get left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
UK transport secretary Grant Shapps told the conference the British government is developing a \u201ctest and release regime\u201d which will still involve a quarantine period of at least a week.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cMy ministerial colleagues and I have agreed a regime, based on a single test provided by the private sector and at the cost to the passenger, after a period of self-isolation and doing those things could achieve our objectives.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe next step is to develop how this approach can be implemented.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cIt will mean a single test for international arrivals, a week after arrival.\u201d<\/p>\n