Date Published: 21/07/2020
ARCHIVED - Scotland removes quarantine restriction for travellers from Spain
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
People who travel to Scotland from Spain will no longer have to go into quarantine for 14 days on arrival.
As promised, the Scottish Government has reviewed the countries included within its “air bridge” scheme and will now allow travellers from Spain to enter Scotland without quarantining.
Airlines had cancelled many flights between Spain and Scotland following the exclusion of the country from the original “safe list”.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said,"Following this latest review and having carefully considered the potential public health impact of changing the country exemptions for quarantine, we are able to lift that requirement for those travelling from Spain.
"We are continuously keeping other countries under review and where there is clear evidence that it is safe to do so, we will add further countries.
"Clearly the virus has not gone away. It is still active and it is still deadly. With the quarantine restrictions being lifted from these countries this means we have to be even more careful about what we are doing.
"Anyone travelling should follow public health advice at all times including wearing face coverings, avoiding crowded places, washing hands and surfaces, staying two metres apart and self-isolating if they get symptoms and immediately registering for a test."
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, welcomed the news saying: "This will hopefully provide confidence to people intending to travel as well as airlines looking to rebuild Scotland's connectivity.
"The situation has been difficult for everyone and the decisions that the Scottish government have had to take are ones we do not envy, but we are glad to see the unworkable blanket quarantine policy effectively being removed for one that is more targeted based on quantified risk."
Derek Provan, chief executive of AGS Airports which owns Aberdeen and Glasgow airports, confirmed what many travellers already knew: "The omission of Spain from the initial quarantine exemption list resulted in the cancellation of many flights.
"With just three weeks left of the school holidays, the removal of travel restrictions will provide airlines with the confidence to maintain their popular Spanish routes and afford families the opportunity to get away for some sun."
Although the Spanish tourism sector will undoubtedly welcome the move, it is surprising, given the current climb in cases recently. Spain actually has more than double the number of new cases on a daily basis than when Spain was originally excluded from the list of “safe” destinations for Scots.
Please be aware, the use of masks in public places within Spain is now obligatory everywhere except the Region of Madrid and the Canary Islands. Click to see a
list of basic information for those visiting Spain this summer which includes links to the Passenger Locator Form which must be completed before arriving in Spain.
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