Mainland Greece added to Scotland's quarantine list

Greece and parts of Cyprus have been added to Scotland's quarantine list.

It means travellers from the Mediterranean country - except the islands of Crete, Corfu, Kos, Rhodes and Zante - will have to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival in the country.

Those coming from the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus must also quarantine.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: "It is imperative that we disrupt the spread of this virus which remains a significant challenge in Scotland and across the world.

"Our first line of defence in managing the risk of imported cases from communities with high risks of transmission is imposing quarantine restrictions.

"Over the coming week we will be closely monitoring the situation in the Greek and Spanish islands, in particular the Canary Islands, as the number of cases there are giving cause for concern.

"The addition of nine destinations to the list of countries designated exempt from quarantine requirements, should not be taken as a signal that people should travel abroad.

"Our message remains clear that people should think very hard before committing to non-essential foreign travel as the public health situation, and therefore our response to it, can change rapidly."

The move follows what the Scottish Government describes as a "significant increase" in cases of coronavirus in those areas as well as a rise in the numbers of cases testing positive.

Bahrain, Cambodia, Chile, Iceland, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Turks and Caicos Islands and Laos are being added to the list of destinations exempt from quarantine on arrival in Scotland.

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