Scotland Lifts Quarantine Rules For Travel To Spain
Spain News
Published: 21 July 2020 14:39 CET
Updated: 21 July 2020 16:39 CET
Those who travel to Scotland from Spain will no longer need to quarantine for 14 days after the restrictions were lifted by the Scottish government.
The changes which will come into force later this week were confirmed after a decision was made to add Spain and its islands to the ‘safe list’ of travel destinations following a ‘thorough review’ of current infection rates.
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”.
Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, Spain was initially not included on the list which raised concern within Scotland’s travel and tourism sectors.
It will now mean that Scots will be able to go on holiday to Spain and for Spanish citizens to travel to Scotland without the need to self-isolate for two weeks.
A number of countries are now exempt from the restrictions in effect creating ‘air bridges’, allowing people to travel more freely.
However, under current restrictions, anyone travelling into the UK from those countries, not on the list are required to quarantine for two weeks or be fined.
It was also confirmed that other countries would also be added to the list in the near future as Coronavirus is brought under control.
However, Mr Yousaf reiterated that the virus was still dangerous and that any further changes would only be made if it was safe to do so.
"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".
As a result of Spain being excluded, many flights had to be cancelled heaping further pressure on the airline industry.
With schools breaking up for the summer holidays, the removal of the restrictions will provide the airlines with a renewed confidence that routes between Scotland and Spain can be maintained giving families the chance to get away for a break in the Sun.
Image Credit: Free-Photos from Pixabay
