Covid 19 Travel Advice

Please continue to follow government advice at this time. You can find the latest advice from the Scottish Government here.

Omicron Variant

The Scottish Government has recommended the following advice to minimise the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 and help keep everyone safe in Scotland this winter.

• You should test regularly with free lateral flow tests.
• You should only meet with small groups, and open windows if meeting indoors.
• Businesses should re-introduce protective measures such as physical distancing and protective screens.
• Wear your mask as required indoors and on public transport.

Visiting Scotland from other parts of the UK

If you are travelling from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey

Or have been in one of these countries for at least 10 days before visiting Scotland: NO RESTRICTIONS AT PRESENT.

Current Guidance

• Masks are still worn indoors in public places and on public transport.
• Food & drink businesses will still take your contact details for track and trace.
• Travel restrictions may be introduced if required.
• Late night venues (eg nightclubs) need you to show a COVID vaccine certificate on entry or proof of a negative COVID test.
• Events of more than 500 indoors or 4,000 outdoors (unseated) will also need you to show a COVID vaccine certificate or proof of a negative COVID test.
• Everyone without symptoms is asked to take regular lateral flow tests, especially before mixing with other people.

There are no restrictions on:

• What businesses can open
• Opening hours

Remember each business may have made adjustments for their staff and customers, so you may still find limits on capacity, adjusted timetables or opening hours, or other special circumstances.

Planning your Trip

If you are planning to visit the North Coast 500, please be considerate to the local communities by following the published guidelines and ensuring that you wear face coverings, practice good hand hygiene and adhere to social distancing guidelines whilst supporting local businesses. Full guidance from the Scottish Government for retail, tourism and hospitality customers can be found here.

We would ask everyone who is considering day trips and overnight stays to please plan ahead carefully and check opening arrangements with the businesses directly. Don’t forget to check our Tops Tips for important Road Safety and Motorhome, Campervan & Caravan advice before you set off.

As well as following the Scottish Government guidelines in place to help keep you and our local communities safe, it is important that you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code when visiting the outdoors and remember to leave no trace of your visit.

Remember:

• It will continue to be the law, subject to exceptions, that face coverings must be worn in indoor public places and on public transport
• Test & Protect will continue to contact-trace positive cases. To assist with this there will be a continued requirement for indoor hospitality and similar venues to collect the contact details of customers. Anyone who is required to self-isolate will, if eligible, continue to have access to support.

Visiting Scotland from another Country

Current Guidance if you are FULLY VACCINATED:

• You do not need to isolate when you arrive in Scotland, but there are 3 things you must do before you travel:

1. 1. Make sure that you’re able to prove you’re fully vaccinated
   2. Book a COVID-19 day 2 test
   3. Complete a Passenger Locator Form on gov.uk

Current Guidance if you are NOT FULLY VACCINATED:

• Take a COVID-19 test before you arrive in Scotland
• Complete a Passenger Locator Form
• Buy COVID-19 day 2 and day 8 PCR tests – if you’re arriving in Scotland after 4am on Friday 11 February, you will only need to buy a COVID-19 day 2 PCR test
• On arrival in Scotland you must
  • Isolate at home or in the place you’re staying for 10 days
  • Take your COVID-19 day 2 PCR test on or before day 2 of your 10 day self-isolation and your COVID-19 day 8 PCR test on or after day 8

The rules are changing for travellers to Scotland from 4am, Friday 11 February.

If you’re fully vaccinated, you’ll no longer need to take a COVID-19 day 2 test after you arrive. You’ll still have to complete a Passenger Locator Form in the 48 hours before travelling back to Scotland.

If you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll no longer need to self-isolate on arrival or take a COVID-19 Day 8 PCR test. You’ll still need to take a COVID-19 test before travelling to Scotland, complete a Passenger Locator Form, and take a PCR test on or before day 2 after you arrive.

If you arrive in Scotland before 4am on Friday 11 February, you must still follow the current rules.

Please keep up to date with and adhere to the latest advice from the Scottish Government

For the latest updates from Scotland’s national tourist board, please see the VisitScotland website.