Remaining seven countries removed from international travel red list

The remaining seven countries have been removed from the international travel red list, ministers have announced.

It means that travellers to the UK from those destinations will no longer have to stay in hotel quarantine for ten days on arrival.

The decision applies to Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.

A four-nations approach was taken over the decision, with the change due to come into effect from 4am on November 1.

Meanwhile, vaccine certificates from a further 35 countries and territories will also be recognised to allow quarantine-free travel to Scotland.

Despite no countries remaining on the red list from November 1, some managed quarantine capacity will stay in place in Scotland in order to react to any change in risk assessment that would see a country added to the red list, the Scottish Government said.

Transport minister Graeme Dey said that the situation will be “closely monitored”.

“Today’s decision is a further sign of the success of the Scottish Government’s vaccination programme and will enable the travel and tourism sector to take another step back towards normal operations,” he said.

“However, the pandemic is not over. The situation will be closely monitored and regularly reviewed and If the situation demands it we will not hesitate to re-impose restrictions on international travel to safeguard the health of our citizens and protect Scotland’s recovery.”