Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic update

International travel continues to be impacted due to COVID-19, and the number of variant strains which have emerged globally. Guidance on international travel is available for people living in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As of 28 November 2021, ten countries have been added to the UK international travel red list following concerns about cases of the emerging B.1.1.529, or Omicron, variant identified in southern Africa.

As of 30 November 2021, fully vaccinated travellers who are entering Scotland from any destination will have to take a PCR test by the end of the second day after arrival, and will have to self-isolate until they get a negative result. They must also complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF). Additionally, travellers who are not fully vaccinated must take a second PCR test by the end of the eighth day after arrival, and isolate at home or in the place they are staying for ten days.

Travellers returning to Scotland from countries on the international travel red list will be required to self-isolate in managed quarantine accommodation and take two PCR tests, regardless of their vaccination status. Currently, the countries and territories on the UK red list are:

• Angola 
• Botswana 
• Eswatini 
• Lesotho 
• Malawi 
• Mozambique 
• Namibia 
• South Africa 
• Zambia 
• Zimbabwe

It should be noted that the travel lists may be amended at short notice, and do not indicate which destinations are currently allowing UK travellers to enter their country, nor if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to these countries. Information relating to this can be checked on the relevant FCDO foreign travel advice country pages.

Testing and quarantine rules may differ in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, therefore travellers must ensure they comply with the rules appropriate to the UK nation they will be arriving in and reside in, if different.

Country specific COVID-19 risk

The fitfortravel (for the general public) and TRAVAX (for health professionals) country pages include a COVID-19 country specific risk-rating, which identifies the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for UK travellers. This information is listed in the Alerts section on each country page of fitfortravel and the Emerging Health Risks section of every TRAVAX country page. This risk-rating identifies each country as having either a: 

• high risk of exposure to COVID-19 for UK travellers  
• risk of exposure to COVID-19 for UK travellers

For all countries, travellers should be aware that the risk of COVID-19 may change at short notice. Countries categorised as having a high risk of exposure to COVID-19 either have a high risk of exposure for travellers to COVID-19, or a high risk of emerging or known variants of coronavirus. Travellers should be advised to avoid non-essential travel to high risk countries, even if fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

In addition to the international travel list, as of 5 November 2021, the following countries have a FCDO advisory warning against travel, and are therefore classified as having a high risk of exposure to COVID-19 for UK travellers: 

• Afghanistan 
• Burundi 
• Democratic People's Republic of Korea 
• Guinea-Bissau 
• Haiti 
• Nicaragua 
• Papua New Guinea 
• Timor Leste 
• Turkmenistan 
• Venezuela 
• Yemen

Advice for travellers

Prior to booking any international travel, travellers must first check if the country they are travelling to is currently accepting UK travellers. 

• The FCDO foreign travel advice country pages have up-to-date information on entry rules, in response to coronavirus (COVID-19), under the Entry Requirements section. 
• Travellers should be aware that some countries or territories may require proof of COVID-19 vaccination status for entry. Guidance for demonstrating COVID-19 vaccination status is available for those living in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It is advised that travellers are aware of all travel restrictions, self-isolation rules and precautions they should take, in order to reduce their risk of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) before, during and after travel, as detailed on the fitfortravel COVID-19 health considerations for travel page.

Source: TRAVAX, November 2021