UK to remove all 11 countries from travel red list
Pre-departure tests and PCR testing measures on or before day 2 on arrival in Scotland will remain in place
All 11 countries on UK's travel red list will be removed from from 4am on Wednesday, with hotel quarantine for travellers arriving in Scotland also set to be abandoned.
Pre-departure tests and PCR testing measures on or before day 2 on arrival in Scotland will remain in place, with a review of all travel measures in the New Year.
The change has been guided by the latest risk assessment from the UK Health Assessment Agency, with the red list countries and territories removed from 4am Wednesday 15 December.
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said:
“The red list restrictions were proportionate as an immediate response to limit importation of the new variant.
“But the rapid growth of Omicron across the world, including here in Scotland, means it is appropriate at this point to remove the red list restrictions.
“The swift decisive action we implemented was vital to delay further seeding of Omicron while we roll out the booster jag programme.
“This action was not taken lightly, with the risk to the public guiding our actions, and we recognise the disruption this has caused to the travel and aviation sector.
“These latest changes will be kept under review with a testing regime in place to safeguard the wider public health.”
The countries on the travel red list are:
Angola
Botswana
Eswatini
Lesotho
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
South Africa
Zambia
Zimbabwe
The red list was reintroduced in late November as a precaution after the Omicron variant reached the UK.
So far travellers arriving in the UK from the red list countries have been required to spend 11 nights in a quarantine hotel at a cost of £2,285 for solo travellers.
They must also take Covid tests within 48 hours setting off and PCR tests within two days of their arrival.
Airlines UK chief Tim Alderslade claimed the decision "makes complete sense but doesn't go nearly far enough".
He said: "If the red list isn't necessary given that Omicron is established here at home, then neither are the costly emergency testing and isolation measures imposed on even fully vaccinated travellers, which again put us completely at odds with the rest of Europe.
"It is testing that is the deterrent to travel, not the relatively limited red list."
Mr Alderslade warned that the key Christmas and New Year booking period will be "undermined" unless testing rules are eased.