Nine countries that have banned Scottish travellers amid spread of Omicron

A number of countries have banned travellers from Scotland and the rest of the UK amid growing Omicron numbers.

The Scottish Government has so far recorded 792 confirmed cases of the mutant Covid variant - but the actual number is said to be much higher.

There is global concern over the variant, as scientists continue to investigate the potential impact it could have on the course of the pandemic.

Early studies have shown that the effectiveness of two doses of the coronavirus vaccines drops, while more work is being done to understand the severity of infection.

Nicola Sturgeon announced that Omicron had become the dominant Covid variant in Scotland earlier this week (PA)

Earlier this week, Nicola Sturgeon said that Omicron had become the dominant strain of Covid in Scotland.

Due to the growing number of Omicron cases in Scotland and the rest of the UK, some countries have tightened entry measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Here are nine countries that have announced strict travel measures for Scots entering the country during the festive period.

Germany

From 11.01pm this evening, carriers such as airlines will be banned from carrying the vast majority of people from travelling to Germany from the UK.

Only a small range of people will be allowed into the country, including British citizens who are a resident of Germany and German citizens.

UK nationals that are a resident in Germany must show proof of residence at entry into the country.

All permitted travellers arriving from the UK to Germany from 11.01pm tonight must quarantine at home for 14 days regardless of their vaccination status.

France

Scots hoping to travel from the UK to France will only be able to do so for essential reasons only - regardless of vaccination status.

French nationals, as well as residents in France, are considered to have an essential reason for travel.

Upon arrival into France, all travellers must self isolate for 48 hours and must show a negative PCR or lateral flow test to exit the period of quarantine.

Without the negative test result, the self-isolation period is seven days.

Qatar

The UK is currently listed a red list country in Qatar.

This means that anyone arriving in Qatar from the UK will be required to undergo hotel quarantine for up to two days upon arrival into the country.

Scots travellers must test negative for Covid through a PCR test during this time to exit self-isolation.

Israel

Non-Israeli citizens are banned from entering Israel from the UK, unless they have permission, under the country’s red list rules.

Israeli citizens will be allowed to enter the country from the UK, but they must go into full isolation - regardless of vaccination status.

All travellers arriving in from the UK will be taken to a managed isolation facility until their PCR test taken on arrival is negative.

Once the negative test comes through, they will have to complete isolation at home.

Hong Kong

The UK is currently listed as a ‘high risk place’, which means that most travellers arriving from the UK must be fully vaccinated residents of Hong Kong.

Travellers from high risk places will be subject to 21 days of compulsory quarantine at a designated hotel on arrival, followed by seven days of self-monitoring.

Japan

All foreign nationals that do not have existing resident status are not permitted to enter Japan for any purpose - unless it is for ‘exceptional’ circumstances.

Australia

All foreign nationals are banned from entering Australia under the current travel restrictions.

Some will be allowed into the country if they have an exemption. Exempt categories include Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia, immediate family members of Australian citizens or permanent residents and fully vaccinated holders of eligible visas.

Travellers that have a compassionate or compelling reason to enter Australia must apply to the Australian authorities for an exemption.

New Zealand

The New Zealand border is currently closed to almost all arrivals at the moment.

Travellers may be eligible to travel to the country if they are considered to have a ‘critical purpose’ for travel.

The government in New Zealand has planned to lift travel restrictions in stages, with fully vaccinated foreign nationals expected to be allowed in again from April 30, 2022.

China

The Chinese authorities have suspended all direct flights from the UK.

This measures are said to be subject to review but no date on this has been announced yet.