Scots holidaymakers will be able to travel to the likes of Ibiza and Majorca without the need to self-isolate upon their return to Scotland from today.
A string of changes to the Scottish Government’s traffic light system came into effect from 4am this morning.
Popular holiday destinations, such as Malta, Madeira and the Balearic Islands, have been added to the green list.
The rule change means that Scots can bypass quarantine when they arrive back in Scotland. But holidaymakers will still be required to take a Covid test within two days of their return.
Antigua, Barbados and Bermuda are also among the others to have been added to the green list.
The Scottish Government says that it was be ‘closely monitoring’ the coronavirus situation in the Balearic Islands over the next three weeks ahead of the next international travel review point.
Malta will now only allow Scots who have received both jabs into the country.
Similar curbs are set to be introduced for the Balearic Islands under Spanish laws. UK travellers will need to prove that they have been fully vaccinated, or provide a negative PCR test upon their arrival.
The measures have been introduced in a bid to prevent the spread the Delta variant of Covid, which is now the dominant strain in Scotland.
Government officials have also made changes to the red list on international travel, with Tunisia and Uganda among the countries added from today.
Travellers arriving in Scotland from a red list country must book managed isolation at a hotel and stay there for 10 days upon their return.
The Scottish Government says that it is considering evidence for easing amber list travel restrictions for fully vaccinated people at a later stage.
Leaders of all four UK nations are said to be locked in talks over the future for international travel to and from the country amid the pandemic.
Announcing the changes last week, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “From the outset we have said caution is required regarding international travel and people should think very carefully about travelling abroad as situations can suddenly change.
“We continue to work closely with the other home nations and are cautiously supportive of exploring options for the easing of restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers arriving from countries on the amber list - but only if the clinical advice supports it and if systems are in place to ensure the wider safety of the Scottish population.”
