Four more countries will be added to Scotland’s red list amid fears over the Omicron coronavirus variant.
Anyone arriving in the UK from Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia will be subject to strict red list restrictions from 4am tomorrow.
Passengers heading to Scotland from these countries must quarantine in a hotel for at least 10 days and take a PCR test within two days of arrival.
News of the decision comes just days after six countries joined the red list after a new Covid variant was discovered in southern Africa.
Scientists are said to be deeply concerned about the variant, which has been named Omicron by the World Health Organisation.
Countries in the southern African region have seen a recent surge in new Covid cases, which is said to be driven by the new variant.
There are also fears that vaccines may be less effective in tackling Omicron.
UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed that the first two cases of the Omicron variant have been identified in the UK.
Surge testing is being rolled out in two English cities in an attempt to slow the spread of the mutant strain.
Boris Johnson is expected to ‘set out further measures’ to stop Omicron from taking hold in the UK.
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