WATCH: Scotland's quarantine hotels law in force today
International travellers must pay to self-isolate but the loophole at the border with England remains.
Last updated 15th Feb 2021
Scotlands strict hotel quarantine rules for international travellers are in force with passengers arriving on direct flights having to check in for a 10 day stay at their own expense.
Unless a passenger is exemp they will have to pay ÂŁ1,750 for a room at one of six designated hotels in a bid to avoid importation of the virus.
WATCH - first arrivals:
However, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson is admitting a "loophole'' still exists because of different rules in the rest of the UK.
In England, the Government will only require hotel quarantine for visitors from a "red list'' of 33 countries designated as high risk, meaning travellers arriving from elsewhere could avoid it by entering Scotland via England.
Visitors would still have to self-isolate for the 10-day period, but would not have to do so at one of the designated hotels due to a lack of agreement between Scottish and Westminster governments on checking whether passengers are intending to travel on to Scotland.
Asked about the possibility of border checks, Mr Matheson said it would be "very challenging'' to implement due to the number of vehicles travelling between England and Scotland.
WATCH - Families kept apart:
Among those potentially affected is Justyna Cholewa-Waclaw, from Edinburgh, whose husband who works in Poland can no longer visit their 7-year-old daughter every 2-weeks.
"It's a complete blow for both of us," she told Clyde 1.
"We sat down scratching our heads wondering what is going to happen now? How are we going to make this work. It's just despair - anxiety about how we're going to deal with it.
"We've been very stressed out by this because my husband won't be able to go back to spend time with us and to see my daughter.
"He is quarantining in the house every single time he comes just to spend time with his daughter.
"She is very attached to Dad, and whenever he goes away for work for two weeks she is asking me all the time when he is coming back.
"Everyone else is in Poland, it's just me here with nobody to go to for help."
Government-booked hotel rooms
Announcing the quarantine policy in parliament last week, Michael Matheson said six hotels have been block-booked in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, with up to 1,300 rooms available.
Three of the the hotels are near Edinburgh Airport, two close to Glasgow Airport and one near Aberdeen Airport.
Scottish Government guidance stipulates those subject to quarantine require a negative Covid-19 test no more than three days hours before travelling and to have booked at a room at a quarantine hotel in advance.
They will also have to submit a passenger locator form to the Home Office declaring which countries they have been to in the 10 days before arrival in the UK.
Security will then escort passengers to baggage reclaim and to pre-arranged transport to the quarantine hotel.
On arrival at the hotel, they will be given two home testing kits to be used on days two and eight of isolation.
These are covered by the cost as are three meals per day, fruit and soft drinks.
If they test positive at any point they will be required to stay in the hotel for 10 days after the test, at an additional charge starting at ÂŁ152 daily for the first adult.
Australian experience
A similar system is already in place in countries including Australia and New Zealand.
Lucy Duffield, from Victoria, had to isolate when she returned there from London, and says the system is even more strict there:
"I just kept thinking about how there was a semi-normal Covid-free Australia waiting for me outside.
"I was not able to leave the hotel room. If I went into the hallway I had to start the 14 days again. I wasn't given any activities such as gym equipment so whatever you brought in your suitcase were the only things you had to entertain yourself.
"It does mean we are able to go home and lead a Covid-normal life in Australia rather than allow anyone to come in and isolate at home. They tried to do that back in March and April and it just didn't work - people weren't staying at home."
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