14-day quarantine on Spanish travellers brought back

People returning to Scotland from Spain will have to quarantine as a significant increase in Covid-19 cases caused a decision to be overturned.

Spain will be removed from the list of countries exempt from quarantine requirements due to an increased number of positive coronavirus cases.

The decision, also made by the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland and Wales - as well as the UK Government, has been made to reduce the risk of the transmission of the virus by those travelling from Spain and arriving in Scotland.

The measures come into effect from midnight tonight, and all returning travellers will be made to isolate for 14 days.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: The decision to exempt Spain earlier this week, was taken when the data showed there was an improvement in the spread of the virus. But clearly the latest data has given us cause for concern to overturn that decision.

We appreciate that this will be disappointing. However, we have always been clear we are closely monitoring the pandemic situation in all countries and that we may require to remove a country from the list of places exempt from quarantine requirements should the virus show a resurgence.

It is still active and it is still deadly. Suppressing the virus, preventing it from being transmitted and protecting public health is our priority.''

Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Willie Rennie said that the original decision to remove the quarantine was baffling'' given warnings from the Spanish health ministry.

He added: All those people who travelled to Spain on holiday last week believing they would be able to go to work when they got back will now be forced to quarantine for two weeks.

I have supported the Scottish Government's approach through much of the pandemic but my confidence in them has been shaken badly.''