Scotland is understood to be poised to announce an easing of its current quarantine system for travellers arriving from overseas, according to reports.
The BBC reported that a system similar to the traffic light approach introduced in England would allow arrivals from some destinations to avoid quarantine from May 24.
Under current rules, all international arrivals to Scotland must quarantine in an approved hotel for at least 10 days after arrival.
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The Scottish government declined to comment but confirmed a Covid briefing would take place on Tuesday. The BBC said it understood that a list of countries within Scotland’s traffic light system would be reviewed every four weeks.
Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel, said:“It is very welcome to see the Scottish government signalling its intention to remove managed quarantine and move to a traffic light system.
“While it’s disappointing that we are still behind on timelines with the rest of the UK, it is positive news for the Scottish inbound and outbound travel industries.
“We must see full information on this approach tomorrow – we cannot afford to lack clarity on this approach and we urge the Scottish government to engage with Scottish travel businesses ahead of travel reopening.”
She said: “Grant Shapps’ announcement today is positive first step for travellers and travel agents alike and is to be welcomed. However, we now await Scotland’s position on this before we can be confident of the restart of international travel for the Scottish travel sector.
“The final meeting of the Scottish government Aviation Working Group was a constructive one, with positive news that the chief medical officers in Scotland were in agreement that that all four nations should move forward together.
“We now fervently hope that Scotland’s first minister will follow suit next week, giving the green light to travel, for all reasons, to the countries unveiled by Grant Shapps, and that the Scottish restart will be concurrent with that across the rest of the UK.
“The SPAA has always, and continues to, lobby for a four nations approach to international travel as we believe this is essential for the whole sector.”
More: Barrhead Travel stores reopen in Scotland [April 21]
Scotland plans ‘four nations’ international travel resumption [April 21]