People who have been double-jabbed in the EU and the US arriving from countries on the amber list – except France – no longer have to quarantine as per the ease of restrictions made by the Scottish government, reports BBC.
However, people still have to think before they travel about the necessity of a trip abroad.
Reunion of families
Elaine Bourt, 55, a senior nurse with an NHS at Newton Mearns, while waiting for her sisters and nephews, all double-vaccine, from Boston, USA, said:
“We never thought it was going to happen with all of the different restrictions, but we left it to the last minute to see what was possible.”
She added: “We always call telephones and video, but seeing them in person will be so good.”
Colin Morton, an engineer who had both vaccinations in Italy, stated: “My mother and father live here, and they are both elderly, and my mother has been unwell, so I’m looking forward to being able to see her. There would have been no point coming if I had to quarantine.”
The new rules
People in the following countries who are entirely vaccinated will not have to isolate themselves for ten days upon arrival in Scotland:
- UK
- EU member states (except France)
- Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland
- Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City
- USA
Traveler’s from Amber countries
Traveler’s from Amber countries must provide a negative test before departure and a negative PCR test result on the second day after arrival.
The EU Digital Covid Certificate or the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s white card (CDC card) has been made mandatory.
Due to concerns about the Beta variant, the modification does not apply to persons who have spent more than ten days in France before arriving.
When restrictions become frustrations
Julie Clarke, a teacher who visits her disabled and housebound mother in Scotland once a week, said she only came home in March of last year when the UK went into lockdown, which she described as “very frustrating.”
“It was very stressful. I went in December. Amsterdam shut their entry to Scotland, I then had to go to London. The Czech Republic then shut to London. I then had to fly to Poland. It took me 23 hours to get home.”, she stated in BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland.
She added: “I’ve been double vaccinated since April and have the same vaccinations as many of my family and friends in Scotland and was very frustrated I couldn’t travel.”
Happy going quarantine
Mrs Clarke also stated that going quarantine after arriving from Scotland would make her happy since it would assure her family, colleagues, and students.
Karen Musgrave, of Barrhead Travel, consider it as a “really positive” move as she stated in BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland:
“We had definitely seen pent up demand released over the last couple of weeks, particularly when we had the news that the fully vaccinated travelers did not have to quarantine when coming back from amber destinations”
“We are also seeing more confidence for further out in the year, so October school holidays and getaways over Christmas and new year are proving really popular just now as well.”, She added.
Travel restrictions
Professor of public health at Edinburgh University Linda Bauld said she does not think the new rules will spike case numbers. Prof. Bauld also expresses his displeasure with the travel restrictions, believing that the current system provides “assurance”.
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Source: BBC
