Foreign travel health rules extended

Travellers arriving in Scotland from Germany and Sweden must quarantine on arrival for 14 days. The requirement takes effect from 4am Saturday (7 November).

A significant increase in cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) as well as a rise in the numbers of cases testing positive, and the associated risk of importation into Scotland has led to the decision.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said:

“The virus remains a significant challenge in Scotland and across the world and it is imperative that we disrupt its spread. Imposing quarantine restrictions on those arriving in the UK remains our first line of defence in managing the risk of imported cases from communities with high risks of transmission. That is why we have made the decision to remove Germany and Sweden from the list of destinations exempt from quarantine.

“Over the coming week we will be looking very closely at Greece as the number of cases there is giving cause for concern. We will not hesitate to remove other countries and destinations if necessary.

“Our message remains clear that people should think very hard before committing to non-essential foreign travel.

Background:

Public health rules for international travel are an important part of Scotland’s wider response to the pandemic to limit the introduction of new chains of transmission. To allow the appropriate arrangements to be put in place, following the laying of the regulations, the change will come into force at 4am on Saturday 7 November.

All international travellers arriving into Scotland, apart from a very limited number of individual exemptions, must complete a passenger locator form and provide evidence that they have done so on arrival in the UK if requested to do so by a Border Force official. This includes people arriving from countries where quarantine is subsequently not required. Failure to do so can also result in a fine since this, along with any failure to self-isolate where required, poses a significant risk to wider public health across Scotland.

Individuals who do not complete the form and present it when asked on arrival may be fined £60. The fine can be doubled for each subsequent offence up to a maximum of £480.

Failure to comply with the requirement to quarantine may result in a fine of more than £480.

Those travelling abroad should check in advance for any local requirements to quarantine on arrival at their destination. Further information about the foreign travel public health rules, including quarantine requirements, can be read on the Scottish Government website. This includes the existing list of overseas destinations where those arriving in Scotland are exempt from self-isolation.