Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Travel) (Scotland) Regulations 2020: Equality Impact Assessment

Considerations in relation to non-protected characteristics

Asylum

Asylum is a matter reserved to the UK Government and handled by the Home Office. People arriving to seek asylum, while the quarantine arrangements are in place, will need to observe the requirements. However, they may need support to understand the requirements, if they don’t speak English, and may not have access to digital technology. We will work with the Home Office to ensure they are aware of Scottish quarantine arrangements, which may differ in some respects from those in place in England. The Scottish Government will continue to consider any impacts of the Regulations, and identify any mitigating actions, as appropriate.

Refugee resettlement

Refugee resettlement is also reserved to the UK Government, but is delivered by local authorities. Resettlement has been paused since March 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Local authorities will need to take account of quarantine requirements in their plans to restart resettlement. As with people seeking asylum, resettled refugees may need support to understand the requirements, if they don’t speak English, and may also not have access to digital technology.

The Scottish Government works closely with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), who provide support to local authorities receiving refugees, and it will be necessary to engage with COSLA and local authorities, to ensure they are well sighted on plans for the quarantine period. The Scottish Government will continue to consider any impacts of the Regulations, and identify any mitigating actions, as appropriate.