A Scots mum-of-four has told how her family holiday plans have been thrown into chaos by the latest amber list reshuffle.
Lisa Rickard, 39, said the decision to add the Balearics islands of Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza to the amber list means she could face losing hundreds of pounds or be forced to take three weeks off from her part time job to quarantine.
The single mum, from Newton Mearns, near Glasgow, said: “This has ruined holidays for thousands of families.
“The last time I was on holiday with all four of my children was three years ago. We’ve all been through a lot and I saw the cheap flights and just thought ‘go for it’.
“The joy has been sucked out of it.”
Care assistant Lisa booked for her and her sons Robert, 19, Callum, 17, James, seven, and Liam, six, to fly to Palma, Majorca, from Edinburgh on August 4 last week.
But just a day after forking out hundreds for PCR tests, holidaymakers were dealt the blow that the Balearics were to move from green to the Scottish Government ’s latest amber travel list.
It means travellers who are over 18 and not fully vaccinated will have to self-isolate at home for 10 days when they return to Scotland.
Lisa, who has only had one vaccination, would have to isolate, along with eldest son Robert and Callum, who turns 18 while on holiday.
The mum had secured bargain flights for £28 a head but had to book a whole new package to coincide with the £375 PCR tests she booked for her and her two sons.
She said: “I was having a panic attack over the cost. We fly out on a Wednesday after a bank holiday Monday. I’ve had to pay for a private clinic because most of the places are shutting early and we have to coincide with the 48-hour timescale.
“I booked a whole new flight package to coincide with the tests.
“I’ve now got two packages sitting. I’m hoping I will be able to change them as they’re valid for a year.
“I booked the tests on Tuesday and the amber list announcement came on Wednesday.”
Lisa said she is “determined” to try and make her plans work but said more notice should be given to changes to the travel list.
She said: “Majorca had only been on the green list for two weeks. There wasn’t an awful lot of chat about it going to amber. It was quite sudden.
“It’s just one step forward and two steps back. It’s not fair for people.
“I’m going to try and go to a drop in centre for my second dose of the vaccine but if not that could mean I’m off work for three weeks and I’m only part time.
“If I cancel or postpone this I will be down a lot of money in admin fees and lose the cash for my pre paid tests and the boys will be devastated.
“I feel that people are starting to hit back at the restrictions now. People are wondering how long this is going to go on for.
“If I was to postpone there could be a fourth wave or a new variant.
“I’m determined to try and go. We all need it and there is a lot of money at stake to walk away from it.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
