New quarantine rules for travellers

Scotland will move to enforce new quarantine rules from today, meaning anyone entering the country from abroad must undergo a 14 day isolation period or face a £480 fine.

Ministers yesterday confirmed new measures would be put in place in response to the spread of COBID-19, including travellers completing an online passenger locator form, supplying contact details, travel details and the address of where they will self-isolate.

The rules, similar to those introduced across the UK, will see some of those self-isolating contacted by public health officials.

Police will be given the power to impose a fixed penalty notice for anyone failing to comply with the mandatory conditions, with the ability to report persistent offenders to the Procurator Fiscal for potential prosecution.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We are, as a country and across the world, continuing to deal with unprecedented challenges that this pandemic brings. These public health measures will play an important part in helping to prevent further spread of the disease.

“These steps are aimed at protecting people and ensuring that we limit spread when our own infection rates are falling. However, they are temporary and will not be in place any longer than deemed necessary to protect public health – as such, they will be reviewed after three weeks.”

But those from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man will not need to self-isolate on arrival, while those working in some sectors, such as road haulage and freight workers and medical and care professionals providing essential healthcare will also be exempt.