Pre-departure test and isolation rule changes explained for travel to Scotland

07.01.2022 - 03:01 / dailyrecord.co.uk

Travellers arriving in Scotland face new rules for testing and self-isolation from January 7.

As of Friday, pre-departure tests have been scrapped for some travellers.

Scotland's newly eased requirements line up with rules in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

It follows Nicola Sturgeon's update where she announced reduced self-isolation requirements for people with Covid.

Now those with positive tests will self-isolate for seven days rather than 10.

The FM announced further rules for close contacts and PCR tests.

For travellers looking to get to grips with the Scottish rules, read on for everything you need to know.

From January 7, people travelling to Scotland from abroad who are fully vaccinated or under 18 will no longer need to take pre-departure Covid tests or isolate on arrival.

To count as fully vaccinated, you must have had your second dose of one of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm Beijing, Sinovac or Covaxin at least 14 days before you arrive in Scotland.

You will have to take a lateral flow test on or before day two. The arrival date counts as day zero.

Pre-departure testing, self-isolating and PCRs were reintroduced in December to stem the spread of Omicron.

The Scottish Government says these requirements are 'less necessary' as Omicron is the main Covid variant.

All four countries of the UK will accept vaccination certificates from an additional 16 countries and territories from 4am on January 10.

The new countries are:

People with a positive Covid result must self-isolate for seven days rather than 10.

The isolation period can end under two conditions: if the person does not have a fever and has recorded two negative rapid lateral flow tests.

The rapid tests should be taken on day six with the second one