Boost for holidaymakers
Pre-departure tests scrapped along with need to self-isolate on return from foreign travel
HOLIDAYMAKERS have had a boost after pre-departure Covid tests were scrapped for people travelling to Scotland from abroad.
A requirement to self-isolate after arrival has also been axed.
The changes followed the announcement yesterday by Prime Minister Boris Johnson which relaxed rules for passengers arriving in England.
Curbs had been introduced across the UK in a bid to slow Omicron. However, with it now the dominant variant, Ministers across the UK felt the restrictions were no longer necessary. The changes to predeparture tests and isolation rules came into force from 4am today.
The relaxation applies to people coming from abroad who are fully vaccinated or under the age of 18.
Travellers will still need to take a test on or before day two after arriving in the UK, which can be from a lateral flow device from Sunday.
Anyone who tests positive on their LFT will need to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson said: “Given the rapid spread of Omicron last year, it was essential we took immediate steps to protect public health in Scotland, particularly with regards to international travel.
“We still have significant concerns over Omicron but we recognise that, now it is the most dominant strain in Scotland and across the UK, it is sensible to review the measures currently in place.
“We also fully understand the impact of the restrictions on staff and businesses in the travel and aviation sectors and these changes demonstrate our commitment not to keep measures in place any longer than necessary.
He added: “However, people still need to be extremely careful when travelling and to remember that both our and other countries’ Covid-19 requirements can change at short notice as things can evolve very quickly.”
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf spoke of his “frustration” about changes to testing for international travel being announced for England only first.
While talks had taken place between the four nations, Johnson announced changes on Wednesday for England only. Yousaf said:
“Although we engaged in a conversation with the UK Government, it is a source of frustration that if the UK Government unilaterally decides to move in a certain direction, we end up with potentially a double whammy if we don’t align.”
He said: “It would be helpful if these discussions could not just happen on a four-nations basis but any announcements could take place on a four-nations basis.
“Our aviation sector, which has undoubtedly been significantly affected throughout the course of the pandemic, gets a further hit and also we don’t end up realising any benefit if we have different public health measures in place, because ultimately a number of people may well travel from English airports if that is seen to be easier of cheaper.”
Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Scotland’s airports and our travel operators continue to be hit incredibly hard by the travel testing requirements introduced last month which resulted in a major slowdown in our recovery, increased costs for passengers and further undermined both business and consumer confidence.
“Scotland’s airports and international connections are vital to securing a strong economic recovery and businesses will welcome the decision by the Scottish Government to align pre-departure and return testing requirements with those in England.
“Any divergence on international travel testing between Scotland and the rest of the UK has a damaging impact on Scotland’s economy and urgent confirmation that any further reductions will be made on a fournations basis is essential to keeping Scotland’s airports competitive.”
Mike Tibbert, president of The Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA), the professional body for travel agents and the travel sector in Scotland, said: “We hope this is the start of positive messaging about travel.”