All travel rules have been axed in Scotland and across the UK in a major moment for the travel industry.
As of 4am today, March 18, Covid travel rules have ended.
The rules remaining included pre-travel tests for unvaccinated and passenger locator forms detailing people’s travel details, their address in the UK, and vaccination status.
This landmark moment comes even as cases soar in the UK – most significantly in Scotland – and after the Scottish mask mandate was extended.
The Scottish Government “reluctantly” agreed to the move despite “raising concerns”, said Scottish Transport Minister Michael Matheson.
However, he said Scotland recognised the benefits of all four nations agreeing to the same rules, as well as the boost to the tourism and aviation sectors.
(Image: Getty Images)
UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said this would allow “greater freedom in time for Easter” to go abroad.
The end of travel rules under the plans for “living with Covid” by the UK Government were confirmed by Shapps on Monday after a meeting with senior ministers.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said a “range of contingency measures” would be kept in reserve so ministers could take “swift and proportionate action” in the face of potential new variants.
The DfT said they would “only be implemented in extreme circumstances”, but it was understood the measures would include targeted testing from a country that has seen a new strain emerge.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the Government would continue to monitor potential new variants but that the final restrictions could now be lifted due to the success of the vaccination programme.
However, a further 84,601 confirmed cases were reported on Thursday.
The travel rule changes that have ended
As of 4am on Friday, March 18 in the UK:
- All passengers will be not be required to complete a passenger locator form.
- Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers will cease in taking pre-departure and day two PCR tests.
- Scottish Government officials have urged travellers to check the UK Government website for the latest information on Covid restrictions in other countries when travelling abroad.
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