This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-58681116
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Covid: Scotland's international travel testing regime to be relaxed | Covid: Scotland's international travel testing regime to be relaxed |
(32 minutes later) | |
Fully-vaccinated people travelling to Scotland from overseas will no longer have to take pre-departure Covid tests, the Scottish government has confirmed. | |
It will benefit Scots returning home from abroad and visitors from non-red list countries. | |
Scotland will also "align with the UK post-arrival testing regime" but details have still to be finalised. | |
Last week the government said testing requirements would remain due to public health concerns | |
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said the government still had concerns. | |
But after talks with the aviation industry they have "reluctantly concluded" that following the UK's path on testing was the "best option". | |
The eight countries now off the red list | |
Plans to simplify the international travel traffic light system with green and amber classifications merging, and more countries being removed from the red list, were announced last Friday. | |
It will come into effect on 4 October. | |
Now it has been confirmed that travellers from non-red list countries who have been fully vaccinated will not be required to provide evidence of a negative test result before travelling to Scotland. | |
They must have been vaccinated in a country that meets "recognised standards of certifications". | |
Mr Matheson said the move to align with the rest of the UK came after consideration of the "logistical, health and economic implications". | |
He added: "We have urgently considered all these implications, weighing any possible impact on the public health and the logistical realities. | |
"After liaising at length with stakeholders from the aviation sector to understand the impact of adopting a different approach in Scotland, we have reluctantly concluded that, for practical reasons, alignment with the UK is the best option." | |
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: "We welcome this decision which will be a huge bonus for Scotland's travel and tourism sector and will provide some much needed confidence for people who need and want to travel." | |
The Scottish government has also said it will consider how "additional safeguards and surveillance of inward travel can be implemented" in a bid to guard against the importation of new variants of Covid. | |
RULES: What are the restrictions in your area? | |
EASING: What are the current rules? | |
CASES: Where are the latest cases in Scotland? | |
WHO? The people who have died with Covid-19 |