International travel from Scotland to be allowed

[southflyer]

People in Scotland will be able to travel to some foreign destinations without the need to quarantine on their return, the BBC understands.

It will be part of a traffic lights system, similar to that in England, and will come into effect on 24 May.

Countries are to be classified as green, amber and red and a review will take place every four weeks.

The Scottish government said a Covid briefing would take place on Tuesday and it would not comment on reports.

If the system is like that of England then the categorisation of countries will be based on both Covid cases and vaccine rates.

The green list - operational down south from 17 May - includes Portugal, Israel, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Iceland, Gibraltar, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands, St Helena, Tristan de Cunha and Ascension Island.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-57059379

[Sharpal7]

I wish it was as simple as that, but there is no mention of testing both here and abroad which I think is still a current requirement.

[southflyer]

I wish it was as simple as that, but there is no mention of testing both here and abroad which I think is still a current requirement.

If it's anything like England, it will be a pre-departure test and destination and PCR test on or before day two post-arrival.

[Clive]

A joint statement from Airlines UK, AGS Airports Ltd and Edinburgh Airport following today's announcement from the First Minister, once again demonstrating the kind of vested interest thinking that would reverse the good progress in virus suppression and no doubt lead to further lockdowns and further deaths. Why don’t they just do their job and let the public health experts do theirs? As I’ve said before, it’s like your plumber dishing out advice on inter galactic navigation.

“Responding to the First Minister’s announcement on international travel restarting in Scotland from 17 May, Airlines UK, AGS Airports and Edinburgh Airport have issued the following statement:

"Whilst removing the travel ban is a step in the right direction it is very much a missed opportunity with so few countries making it onto the green list.

"We are again in the position of being a week away from a major change to operations and are waiting on details of how the Scottish Government wants this to work and how it will be managed. We need that detail as soon as possible to allow everyone to understand what is required.

"We appreciate there are many things to consider but we encourage the Scottish Government to work with us on making testing more affordable rather than it being a barrier for those who need and want to travel. We would also encourage government to take advantage of the vaccination rollout to open up many more green countries in the EU at the new review point in three weeks, as the EU themselves have proposed, and to work where possible as the four nations to ensure consistency and avoid confusion for operators and passengers.

“The Scottish Government must also be very clear about when and how we can encourage visitors from green list countries to try and save the thousands of jobs in Scotland that depend upon international travellers.”

[atuk]

Seems a perfectly sensible reply given all the clarity required to plan and prepare for a return to some sense of normality.

I don’t have an unbiased opinion here. The stark truth is Aviation is hanging by a fine thread. Many people in airlines, airports, handling agents and ancillary service providers depend on aircraft for their livelihood. It takes time to restart - you can’t simply flick a switch and say go!

Now that hospitality is beginning to reopen its time to look at aviation and start tentatively opening the gates once again.

I’m supporting the industry I no longer work in and hope many others do so too. As more people are vaccinated it should help produce a greater herd immunity not just here in the U.K. but also in other host countries. That’s why the traffic light system s in place but it must move as quickly as possible to make real progress to help folks back into work and get the economy moving once again.

[Clive]

Seems a perfectly sensible reply given all the clarity required to plan and prepare for a return to some sense of normality.

I don’t have an unbiased opinion here. The stark truth is Aviation is hanging by a fine thread. Many people in airlines, airports, handling agents and ancillary service providers depend on aircraft for their livelihood. It takes time to restart - you can’t simply flick a switch and say go!

Now that hospitality is beginning to reopen its time to look at aviation and start tentatively opening the gates once again.

I’m supporting the industry I no longer work in and hope many others do so too. As more people are vaccinated it should help produce a greater herd immunity not just here in the U.K. but also in other host countries. That’s why the traffic light system s in place but it must move as quickly as possible to make real progress to help folks back into work and get the economy moving once again.

This is what’s happening. The joint statement says that in their opinion something different should be happening. Something less cautious. Something more dangerous.

[Clive]

Received my second AZ dose 20 minutes ago followed by news today that the “Covid passport” European travel scheme is set to be ratified shortly. This will allow folks like me who have had both doses to travel freely without the need to test or quarantine, potentially from the end of next month.

Fingers crossed.

[Allen McL]

Received my second AZ dose 20 minutes ago followed by news today that the “Covid passport” European travel scheme is set to be ratified shortly. This will allow folks like me who have had both doses to travel freely without the need to test or quarantine, potentially from the end of next month.

Fingers crossed.

Got my 2nd yesterday morning, feeling only mildly rough compared to the first one. Yeah, I feel a trip coming on !

[Clive]

Scot Gov ok vaccine certificates for international travel

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-57174042

[atuk]

Scot Gov ok vaccine certificates for international travel

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-57174042

Good news. I had my second vaccine on 040521 with absolutely no side effects whatsoever.
Now roll on more folks being jabbed and start opening up international travel to safe destinations once again.