Scottish Travel Restrictions

[greenginger]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-55987460

This article seems to imply that a 10 day Quarentine period is required for all persons returning to Scotland from abroad.

There are a few exceptions, elite athletes and coaches training for Olympics being the only sporting exemption.

Do they not know The Rangers are playing a Europa League tie in Antwerp on the 18th February.

[ancient hibee]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-55987460

This article seems to imply that a 10 day Quarentine period is required for all persons returning to Scotland from abroad.

There are a few exceptions, elite athletes and coaches training for Olympics being the only sporting exemption.

Do they not know The Rangers are playing a Europa League tie in Antwerp on the 18th February.


Or Scotland rugby in France? Frankly I wouldn't let Michael Matheson go for a fish supper for me never mind him being in charge of transport in Scotland.

[declan macmanus]

Or Scotland rugby in France? Frankly I wouldn't let Michael Matheson go for a fish supper for me never mind him being in charge of transport in Scotland.

Both just need to fly out from Newcastle on the QT ... :wink:

[Greenbeard]

Kamberi looking at 10 days couped up in a Holiday Inn if he can't get here before Monday?
Or will he be preparing for the Olympics for Switzerland or Alabania or Kosovo, therefore exempt?

[PaulSmith]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-55987460

This article seems to imply that a 10 day Quarentine period is required for all persons returning to Scotland from abroad.

There are a few exceptions, elite athletes and coaches training for Olympics being the only sporting exemption.

Do they not know The Rangers are playing a Europa League tie in Antwerp on the 18th February.

Chris McLaughlin clarified earlier that there’s no impact for individual elite sports travel.

[ancient hibee]

Chris McLaughlin clarified earlier that there’s no impact for individual elite sports travel.

Well either the BBC hack or the Transport Minister is wrong-they can't both be right.

[greenginger]

Chris McLaughlin clarified earlier that there’s no impact for individual elite sports travel.


Individual elite sports travel. ?? What about team sports travel?

[Iain G]

Chris McLaughlin clarified earlier that there’s no impact for individual elite sports travel.

So Kamberi has to quarantine then...

[Sir David Gray]

Individual elite sports travel. ?? What about team sports travel?

If you're going overseas on a training camp, you're only exempt from quarantine if you're training for the Olympics or the Paralympics i.e. Celtic's trip to Dubai wouldn't have been covered.

Because Rangers are going overseas to play in an official tournament they're also exempt.

[superfurryhibby]

What a ****ing farce. The Scottish government are going too far. The UK government approach is much more sensible, and I say that as someone who despises the Tories. Not everyone who needs to fly abroad is going on holiday. I have children in Spain ( mid teens).I’ve not seen them since September.

[Since452]

Thought this was about the snow

[whiskyhibby]

What a ****ing farce. The Scottish government are going too far. The UK government approach is much more sensible, and I say that as someone who despises the Tories. Not everyone who needs to fly abroad is going on holiday. I have children in Spain ( mid teens).I’ve not seen them since September.


it is a farce and even more so given the slow roll out of the vaccine here compared to the rest of the UK

[EI255]

Kamberi looking at 10 days couped up in a Holiday Inn if he can't get here before Monday?
Or will he be preparing for the Olympics for Switzerland or Alabania or Kosovo, therefore exempt?Costly loan signing!

They could have had someone else.

Oh well!

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[bingo70]

What a ****ing farce. The Scottish government are going too far. The UK government approach is much more sensible, and I say that as someone who despises the Tories. Not everyone who needs to fly abroad is going on holiday. I have children in Spain ( mid teens).I’ve not seen them since September.

The only farcical thing about it is that it’s taken this long for these rules to be implemented.

[EI255]

Wouldn't it be comedy, utter comedy, if The Rangers returned with a positive test.

Scottish Government would REALLY have one to answer. They are living on borrowed time.

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[ancient hibee]

If you're going overseas on a training camp, you're only exempt from quarantine if you're training for the Olympics or the Paralympics i.e. Celtic's trip to Dubai wouldn't have been covered.

Because Rangers are going overseas to play in an official tournament they're also exempt.

When did he say anything about team travel? I see a couple of English teams are having to play ties in neutral countries because of restrictions.

[Peevemor]

Wouldn't it be comedy, utter comedy, if The Rangers returned with a positive test.

Scottish Government would REALLY have one to answer. They are living on borrowed time.

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Why?

[Ozyhibby]

it is a farce and even more so given the slow roll out of the vaccine here compared to the rest of the UK

Scottish vaccination going quicker than England now. Will catch up in next couple of weeks.


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[DIXIHIBS]

it is a farce and even more so given the slow roll out of the vaccine here compared to the rest of the UK
Slow roll out? Uk vaccinated 1person in 5.9, scotland vaccinated 1 in 5.5. Slightly slower but hardly worth scoring points on.

[Sir David Gray]

When did he say anything about team travel? I see a couple of English teams are having to play ties in neutral countries because of restrictions.

I'm only aware of Liverpool's match being moved and that's because of restrictions imposed by the German government meaning that Liverpool can't enter Germany so their match v Leipzig's been moved to Hungary. I could be wrong but I'm not aware of any restrictions meaning professional teams are unable to enter the UK.

EDIT - I've just read a bit more on this, Manchester Utd's tie has been moved because of Spanish government restrictions on travel from the UK and Arsenal's tie's being moved because of specific issues over travel from Portugal into the UK.

[ancient hibee]

I'm only aware of Liverpool's match being moved and that's because of restrictions imposed by the German government meaning that Liverpool can't enter Germany so their match v Leipzig's been moved to Hungary. I could be wrong but I'm not aware of any restrictions meaning professional teams are unable to enter the UK.

EDIT - I've just read a bit more on this, Manchester Utd's tie has been moved because of Spanish government restrictions on travel from the UK and Arsenal's tie's being moved because of specific issues over travel from Portugal into the UK.

Getting very complicated.

[Sir David Gray]

Getting very complicated.

Basically I'm not aware of any restrictions on professional sports teams entering the UK from anywhere in Europe except Portugal so Rangers and their opponents will be fine to play in Glasgow as far as I'm aware.

[greenginger]

Basically I'm not aware of any restrictions on professional sports teams entering the UK from anywhere in Europe except Portugal so Rangers and their opponents will be fine to play in Glasgow as far as I'm aware.

Its the new Scottish regulations not the regs brought in by the UK government that need clarifications on the announcement made today.

[whiskyhibby]

Slow roll out? Uk vaccinated 1person in 5.9, scotland vaccinated 1 in 5.5. Slightly slower but hardly worth scoring points on.

Yea but when you look at the big numbers rather than the view youve taken it’s hundreds of thousands behind


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[Sir David Gray]

Its the new Scottish regulations not the regs brought in by the UK government that need clarifications on the announcement made today.

I don't think it does.

Existing travel exemptions will be strengthened, including limiting overseas training for elite sportspeople to athletes and coaches preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics.

Existing travel exemptions already allow professional football teams to go abroad and compete in a recognised competition.

What they're strengthening is teams/athletes who are going overseas to a training camp (i.e. Celtic going to Dubai) will no longer be exempt unless they're preparing for the Olympics or Paralympics.

https://www.gov.scot/news/quarantine-hotels/

[ronaldo7]

Yea but when you look at the big numbers rather than the view youve taken it’s hundreds of thousands behind


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Yea, I suppose when we reach our 4.5 million adults and have to stop, they'd go right on and do their 50 million. :wink:

[Siralbertkidd]

Its the new Scottish regulations not the regs brought in by the UK government that need clarifications on the announcement made today.

Elite athletes are currently exempt from travel restrictions however Mr Matheson said the criteria would be strengthened, to only permit travel for athletes and coaches preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics.

I think thats pretty clear that football teams should not be travelling...unless they can claim they are travelling for work?
Has Celtcs Dubai fiasco knocked The Rankgers out the Cup?

[Sir David Gray]

Elite athletes are currently exempt from travel restrictions however Mr Matheson said the criteria would be strengthened, to only permit travel for athletes and coaches preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics.

I think thats pretty clear that football teams should not be travelling...unless they can claim they are travelling for work?
Has Celtcs Dubai fiasco knocked The Rankgers out the Cup?

Clubs are still allowed to travel to compete in a tournament.

[Siralbertkidd]

Clubs are still allowed to travel to compete in a tournament.

Where are you reading that, its not my interpretaion. I see it as football and rugby abroad or with visiting teams stopped? Dont hold out much hope for Cheltenham either.

[CropleyWasGod]

Yea but when you look at the big numbers rather than the view youve taken it’s hundreds of thousands behind


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A week ago Scotland was at 70%. Today 84%. The reasons for the initial differences have been explained, and reinforced by the fact that the gap is closing every day.

[Sir David Gray]

Where are you reading that, its not my interpretaion. I see it as football and rugby abroad or with visiting teams stopped? Dont hold out much hope for Cheltenham either.

Existing travel exemptions will be strengthened, including limiting overseas training for elite sportspeople to athletes and coaches preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics.

Existing travel exemptions already allow professional football teams to go abroad and compete in a recognised competition.

What they're strengthening is teams/athletes who are going overseas to a training camp (i.e. Celtic going to Dubai) will no longer be exempt unless they're preparing for the Olympics or Paralympics.

https://www.gov.scot/news/quarantine-hotels/

[Siralbertkidd]

Existing travel exemptions will be strengthened, including limiting overseas training for elite sportspeople to athletes and coaches preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics.

Existing travel exemptions already allow professional football teams to go abroad and compete in a recognised competition.

What they're strengthening is teams/athletes who are going overseas to a training camp (i.e. Celtic going to Dubai) will no longer be exempt unless they're preparing for the Olympics or Paralympics.

https://www.gov.scot/news/quarantine-hotels/

Thanks for that, I am with greenginger on this now, it needs more clarity. How does adding more people allowed to travel strengthen the regs?

[Sir David Gray]

Thanks for that, I am with greenginger on this now, it needs more clarity. How does adding more people allowed to travel strengthen the regs?

I don't think they're allowing more people to the exemption list, I'd say it's the opposite.

Currently any athlete/sports team can "do a Celtic" and travel overseas for a "training camp" and not need to quarantine on their return.

From Monday that's being limited to those going overseas to attend a training camp in preparation for the Olympics and Paralympics only.

[Moulin Yarns]

Yea but when you look at the big numbers rather than the view youve taken it’s hundreds of thousands behind


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Proportions of vaccine to population?

[ancient hibee]

I don't think they're allowing more people to the exemption list, I'd say it's the opposite.

Currently any athlete/sports team can "do a Celtic" and travel overseas for a "training camp" and not need to quarantine on their return.

From Monday that's being limited to those going overseas to attend a training camp in preparation for the Olympics and Paralympics only.
I think what’s happened is the government paper tries to clear up the loose phraseology in the original release which made it seem that the only elite sports men/women allowed to travel would be those going to train for major competitions.

[greenginger]

https://www.gov.scot/news/quarantine-hotels/

I’m now with teams will be allowed to travel for matches.

The bit about “ for training “ wasn’t in the BBC report I read first. The new rule means overseas training only for Olympics is excluded from quarantine. - I think. :confused:

[Sir David Gray]

https://www.gov.scot/news/quarantine-hotels/

I’m now with teams will be allowed to travel for matches.

The bit about “ for training “ wasn’t in the BBC report I read first. The new rule means overseas training only for Olympics is excluded from quarantine. - I think. :confused:

If you're going abroad for a tournament/competition - no quarantine.
If you're going abroad for a training camp - quarantine applies unless you're training in preparation for the Olympics or the Paralympics.

[killie-hibby]

What a ****ing farce. The Scottish government are going too far. The UK government approach is much more sensible, and I say that as someone who despises the Tories. Not everyone who needs to fly abroad is going on holiday. I have children in Spain ( mid teens).I’ve not seen them since September.

Nobody is flying from Scotland to go on holiday as it is currently illegal. Quarantine rules announced today by the Scottish government should have been in place months ago.
The UK governments quarantine plan is full of loopholes.

[superfurryhibby]

Nobody is flying from Scotland to go on holiday as it is currently illegal. Quarantine rules announced today by the Scottish government should have been in place months ago.
The UK governments quarantine plan is full of loopholes.

There are still some legitimate reasons to travel. I didn’t suggest holidaying was one of them.

I live alone, will test before boarding and fail to understand why I can’t quarantine at home and test again 72 hours after arrival, all at my expense of course?

Regardless, I can still travel, even under the new restrictions, that isn’t the issue. The £1700 quid is. So I can go but have to pay and suffer a hotel for 10 days.......Farcical.

[Andy74]

There are still some legitimate reasons to travel. I didn’t suggest holidaying was one of them.

I live alone, will test before boarding and fail to understand why I can’t quarantine at home and test again 72 hours after arrival, all at my expense of course?

Regardless, I can still travel, even under the new restrictions, that isn’t the issue. The £1700 quid is. So I can go but have to pay and suffer a hotel for 10 days.......Farcical.

There’s a pandemic going on unfortunately.

It is of course awful that you have kids abroad and haven’t seen them for 5 months but for context my parents live about 6 miles away and I’ve seen them twice in person in nearly a year now.

[dalkeith stu]

There are still some legitimate reasons to travel. I didn’t suggest holidaying was one of them.

I live alone, will test before boarding and fail to understand why I can’t quarantine at home and test again 72 hours after arrival, all at my expense of course?

Regardless, I can still travel, even under the new restrictions, that isn’t the issue. The £1700 quid is. So I can go but have to pay and suffer a hotel for 10 days.......Farcical.

Spain has closed the border to all citizens from the Uk but I'm guessing that's all the Scottish Governments fault!!

[Joe6-2]

Or Scotland rugby in France? Frankly I wouldn't let Michael Matheson go for a fish supper for me never mind him being in charge of transport in Scotland.

This

[superfurryhibby]

Spain has closed the border to all citizens from the Uk but I'm guessing that's all the Scottish Governments fault!!

Yep, thanks for your obviously well considered and empathetic point. However, you are talking mince.

"On 22 December 2020, Spain introduced travel restrictions on passenger travel from the UK by air and sea. These measures have been extended until 6pm (GMT+1) on 16 February 2021 (5pm / GMT in the Canary Islands), with the exception of Spanish nationals and those legally resident in Spain.
International transit through Spanish airports by passengers on flights departing from the UK is permitted on presentation of a negative PCR, TNA or LAMP test taken within no more than 72 hours prior to arrival into Spain. "


There are few international flights arriving or departing from Scotland. Continue enforcing essential travel restrictions and increase quarantine compliance measures. If you have travelled, you could have a PCR test 72 hours after arrival (at your own expense). Job done. Is that so hard for reactionary folk to grasp? It's tokenistic nonsense designed to appeal to sheep.

The Scottish Government made a huge error of judgement in allowing non essential travel to resume last summer. The mass return to schools was also pretty ill considered and could have been done differently.

The current measures are not really addressing the current Covid issue, where deaths are still mostly in care homes.

Supermarkets are considered the main source of transmission in the community, yet still you see the same idiots parading around mask less. The local Coop where I live, significant number of people still going in without a mask (no exemption badge). Maybe our currently under worked POlis could raise some revenue by making their presence known in places like Cameron Toll and ensuring that the Covidiots stop taking the piss?

[Irish_Steve]

What a ****ing farce. The Scottish government are going too far. The UK government approach is much more sensible, and I say that as someone who despises the Tories. Not everyone who needs to fly abroad is going on holiday. I have children in Spain ( mid teens).I’ve not seen them since September.

Yeah, it's a well known fact that the virus and any mutations only target people who go to foreign countries for holidays only.

Vietnam has a population of 95m and only had about 35 deaths. Why? Because they immediately closed their borders to any travel, something the UK should have done too

[dalkeith stu]

Yep, thanks for your obviously well considered and empathetic point. However, you are talking mince.

"On 22 December 2020, Spain introduced travel restrictions on passenger travel from the UK by air and sea. These measures have been extended until 6pm (GMT+1) on 16 February 2021 (5pm / GMT in the Canary Islands), with the exception of Spanish nationals and those legally resident in Spain.
International transit through Spanish airports by passengers on flights departing from the UK is permitted on presentation of a negative PCR, TNA or LAMP test taken within no more than 72 hours prior to arrival into Spain. "


There are few international flights arriving or departing from Scotland. Continue enforcing essential travel restrictions and increase quarantine compliance measures. If you have travelled, you could have a PCR test 72 hours after arrival (at your own expense). Job done. Is that so hard for reactionary folk to grasp? It's tokenistic nonsense designed to appeal to sheep.

The Scottish Government made a huge error of judgement in allowing non essential travel to resume last summer. The mass return to schools was also pretty ill considered and could have been done differently.

The current measures are not really addressing the current Covid issue, where deaths are still mostly in care homes.

Supermarkets are considered the main source of transmission in the community, yet still you see the same idiots parading around mask less. The local Coop where I live, significant number of people still going in without a mask (no exemption badge). Maybe our currently under worked POlis could raise some revenue by making their presence known in places like Cameron Toll and ensuring that the Covidiots stop taking the piss?

I feel for your situation but i cant see how any of that is down to the Scottish Government. Scotland doesn't have control over her borders and Spain shat it when the new variants were discovered down south. Internationally we are lumped in with the UK so I dont think Pedro Sánchez gives a monkeys how the Scottish Government police the dafties in Cameron Toll!!

[dastardly8]

I work in the Netherlands and live 20 mins from Edinburgh airport an absolute joke of a Scottish government concentrate on vaccine and not 1750 quid a person who works for a living and can’t get home !!!!

[Keith_M]

Politics?

[monarch]

What a ****ing farce. The Scottish government are going too far. The UK government approach is much more sensible, and I say that as someone who despises the Tories. Not everyone who needs to fly abroad is going on holiday. I have children in Spain ( mid teens).I’ve not seen them since September.

I can sympathise with the fact that you’ve not seen your children for a while but the fact is whether on holiday or not you can still bring the virus or a variant of it into the country when you return from abroad.

[superfurryhibby]

I can sympathise with the fact that you’ve not seen your children for a while but the fact is whether on holiday or not you can still bring the virus or a variant of it into the country when you return from abroad.

Why are the Scottish Government allowing any travel at all in that case?

If you have to test before flying and within 72 hours of your return, having quarantined prior to testing, that surely is better than 10 days in a hotel.

It feels like political point scoring, taking things one step further than Westminster ( lets not forget that people can still fly into England, Wales from most countrie

I notice people ( not you) are just blindly in favour. I guess it’s just the way some folk are. Don’t actually bother reading what you are saying, assume what suits their viewpoint and chunter on.

Out of interest, would supporters also be advocating spot fines for non mask wearing. Much stricter rules on mask wearing in all public spaces anyone?

In Spain, mask exemption doesn’t exist if you want to enter a supermarket. I very much doubt the Polis tolerate it in open spaces either, Nae chance.

Here there are so many folk that seem unable to grasp, as I already said, that being exempt from mask wearing won’t stop you getting Covid. Supermarkets are the biggest source of community transmission. The stupidity is incredible and judging by my last Savacentre experience that is a much greater concern that a handful of people travelling to co parent and being fully tested before and after a flight.

[Just Alf]

I get it's a nightmare having to cough up 1700 odd, the alternative is for travel to not be allowed at all.

Should add, the reason hotels are being used this time, is really down to the fact that no one seemed to follow the quarantine rules when they were given the chance to do it because it was 'the right thing to do'.... looks like folks need to be made to do the right thing and unfortunately those who would follow the rules suffer. I don't see that as the UK/Scot Gov fault.



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[superfurryhibby]

I get it's a nightmare having to cough up 1700 odd, the alternative is for travel to not be allowed at all.

Should add, the reason hotels are being used this time, is really down to the fact that no one seemed to follow the quarantine rules when they were given the chance to do it because it was 'the right thing to do'.... looks like folks need to be made to do the right thing and unfortunately those who would follow the rules suffer. I don't see that as the UK/Scot Gov fault.



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The rules are different for flying into Scotland than they are for flying into England and Wales.

[tamig]

Why are the Scottish Government allowing any travel at all in that case?

If you have to test before flying and within 72 hours of your return, having quarantined prior to testing, that surely is better than 10 days in a hotel.

It feels like political point scoring, taking things one step further than Westminster ( lets not forget that people can still fly into England, Wales from most countrie

I notice people ( not you) are just blindly in favour. I guess it’s just the way some folk are. Don’t actually bother reading what you are saying, assume what suits their viewpoint and chunter on.

Out of interest, would supporters also be advocating spot fines for non mask wearing. Much stricter rules on mask wearing in all public spaces anyone?

In Spain, mask exemption doesn’t exist if you want to enter a supermarket. I very much doubt the Polis tolerate it in open spaces either, Nae chance.

Here there are so many folk that seem unable to grasp, as I already said, that being exempt from mask wearing won’t stop you getting Covid. Supermarkets are the biggest source of community transmission. The stupidity is incredible and judging by my last Savacentre experience that is a much greater concern that a handful of people travelling to co parent and being fully tested before and after a flight.

Can you provide a link to the evidence citing supermarkets as the biggest source of transmission? That’s news to me but you’ve now mentioned it a few times on this thread.

And my local supermarket refuses entry if no mask or medical certification for exemption.

[Just Alf]

The rules are different for flying into Scotland than they are for flying into England and Wales.I know, I'm just talking about the principle about the enforced hotel thing.


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[tamig]

I get it's a nightmare having to cough up 1700 odd, the alternative is for travel to not be allowed at all.

Should add, the reason hotels are being used this time, is really down to the fact that no one seemed to follow the quarantine rules when they were given the chance to do it because it was 'the right thing to do'.... looks like folks need to be made to do the right thing and unfortunately those who would follow the rules suffer. I don't see that as the UK/Scot Gov fault.



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Only government faults are that we were too soft on travel and border control from the start. Catching up a year too late. Scandalous.

[Just Alf]

Only government faults are that we were too soft on travel and border control from the start. Catching up a year too late. Scandalous.You're not wrong :agree

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[Borderhibbie76]

There are still some legitimate reasons to travel. I didn’t suggest holidaying was one of them.

I live alone, will test before boarding and fail to understand why I can’t quarantine at home and test again 72 hours after arrival, all at my expense of course?

Regardless, I can still travel, even under the new restrictions, that isn’t the issue. The £1700 quid is. So I can go but have to pay and suffer a hotel for 10 days.......Farcical.

Sorry but there should ne no non-essential travel abroad...the only thing wrong with these rules imo are they are months too late and that's The fault of UK givt who control our borders. Sorry your kids live abroad but as another poster has said my family live in other parts of Edinburgh and I've not seen them at all since Xmas and it was 12 weeks during the last lockdown

[Borderhibbie76]

Only government faults are that we were too soft on travel and border control from the start. Catching up a year too late. Scandalous.

Absolutely spot on

[greenginger]

Only government faults are that we were too soft on travel and border control from the start. Catching up a year too late. Scandalous.

I seem to remember Trump trying to ban flights from China at the beginning of pandemic. He was accused of being racist and the Democrats went to court and got the ban overturned.

I’d guess if our government had introduced bans from certain countries there would have been similar howls of racism over here.

[superfurryhibby]

I seem to remember Trump trying to ban flights from China at the beginning of pandemic. He was accused of being racist and the Democrats went to court and got the ban overturned.

I’d guess if our government had introduced bans from certain countries there would have been similar howls of racism over here.

Our UK national government have done exactly that. You only have to quarantine in a hotel if you travel from one of the 30 odd countries listed and fly to England or Wales.

Re: supermarkets ( not your comment). For once I am in the know. The information is out there for anyone interested. They are the only place we meet indoors in significant numbers.

Hopefully these restrictions are short lived. We wouldn’t want to see our football team being affected when going to the Euros would we?

[SlickShoes]

Sorry but there should ne no non-essential travel abroad...the only thing wrong with these rules imo are they are months too late and that's The fault of UK givt who control our borders. Sorry your kids live abroad but as another poster has said my family live in other parts of Edinburgh and I've not seen them at all since Xmas and it was 12 weeks during the last lockdown

It's pretty insensitive to see people trotting out "I haven't seen my family for a few weeks" to people that live overseas from their family during this time. The situations are not comparable I am afraid.

I fully understand this is a **** time for everyone, no one can see people as much as they want. I made the decision to live in a different country but this is the situation we are stuck in and there's nothing we can do to see people we care about. You have all these restrictions come in that make it more and more difficult because people kept going on holidays and kept not obeying isolation rules. The people that end up suffering are superfurry because his kids are in a different country and while his anger is maybe not directed where I think it should be you can fully understand his frustration at being stuck in this situation he can do nothing to resolve.

FYI I haven't been home since December 2019.

[SlickShoes]

I seem to remember Trump trying to ban flights from China at the beginning of pandemic. He was accused of being racist and the Democrats went to court and got the ban overturned.

I’d guess if our government had introduced bans from certain countries there would have been similar howls of racism over here.

This is what they have done, and it's fairly pointless. People seem to think we are doing what Aus and NZ did, but we are not. There is no flat ban on people coming from overseas, you can still travel in and walk right through from certain countries, and if you don't fly in then its a whole different ball game.

Trump banning only flights from China was pointless and stupid, the virus had already spread and Italy was ground zero in Europe but you could still fly from Italy to anywhere else at that point.

[greenginger]

Even the W H O ( world health organisation) were against any sort of travel ban back at the beginning.

https://www.statnews.com/2020/01/30/who-declares-coronavirus-outbreak-a-global-health-emergency/

[ScottB]

Oz and NZ have had travel bans since day 1, and folk there are back to living largely normal domestic lives.

You want back in a stadium any time soon? Forget the summer holiday. That’s the trade off and we’re way behind the curve in making it.

[tamig]

Oz and NZ have had travel bans since day 1, and folk there are back to living largely normal domestic lives.

You want back in a stadium any time soon? Forget the summer holiday. That’s the trade off and we’re way behind the curve in making it.

Exactly. And I don’t recall any accusations of racism and stuff when they implemented that. Just a year too late for us.

[tamig]

Our UK national government have done exactly that. You only have to quarantine in a hotel if you travel from one of the 30 odd countries listed and fly to England or Wales.

Re: supermarkets ( not your comment). For once I am in the know. The information is out there for anyone interested. They are the only place we meet indoors in significant numbers.

Hopefully these restrictions are short lived. We wouldn’t want to see our football team being affected when going to the Euros would we?

Sorry if I’ve picked you up wrong but what’s your final paragraph suggesting? Under the current rules elite sports teams can travel to competitions.

[Greenbeard]

I get it's a nightmare having to cough up 1700 odd, the alternative is for travel to not be allowed at all.

Should add, the reason hotels are being used this time, is really down to the fact that no one seemed to follow the quarantine rules when they were given the chance to do it because it was 'the right thing to do'.... looks like folks need to be made to do the right thing and unfortunately those who would follow the rules suffer. I don't see that as the UK/Scot Gov fault.



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Always going to be some a***holes who will not do as asked and be selfishly and in this case dangerously non-compliant, sometimes just for the sake of it. "F*** that. Naebdie's tellin' me what to do." I agree we have been too soft - too soft on travel, too soft on enforcement, too soft on penalties. And now, by the sounds of things, being too soft on the uptake of the vaccine, saying it is a matter of choice. Should be compulsory, unless there is a physical reason you can't have it eg allergic. Too soft too on proof of vaccination, shying away from an official passport system, and leaving the door wide open for forged confirmations as with test certificates. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/ee6ed923-e00e-445b-8a98-7b9917178e30

[CockneyRebel]

Always going to be some a***holes who will not do as asked and be selfishly and in this case dangerously non-compliant, sometimes just for the sake of it. "F*** that. Naebdie's tellin' me what to do." I agree we have been too soft - too soft on travel, too soft on enforcement, too soft on penalties. And now, by the sounds of things, being too soft on the uptake of the vaccine, saying it is a matter of choice. Should be compulsory, unless there is a physical reason you can't have it eg allergic. Too soft too on proof of vaccination, shying away from an official passport system, and leaving the door wide open for forged confirmations as with test certificates. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/ee6ed923-e00e-445b-8a98-7b9917178e30

/

I presume you will get many posts disagreeing with some/all of your suggestions/comments but I have to side with all of your post. Individuals are as much to blame as the government/scientists/medical advisors for where we as at the moment. I have personally witnessed (in Edinburgh) the a***holes you mention being selfish and ignorant from day one and still at it today. The advice/instructions on FACTS ignored by so many, undermining all the efforts of those with a social conscience and a few brain cells.

[greenginger]

Always going to be some a***holes who will not do as asked and be selfishly and in this case dangerously non-compliant, sometimes just for the sake of it. "F*** that. Naebdie's tellin' me what to do." I agree we have been too soft - too soft on travel, too soft on enforcement, too soft on penalties. And now, by the sounds of things, being too soft on the uptake of the vaccine, saying it is a matter of choice. Should be compulsory, unless there is a physical reason you can't have it eg allergic. Too soft too on proof of vaccination, shying away from an official passport system, and leaving the door wide open for forged confirmations as with test certificates. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/ee6ed923-e00e-445b-8a98-7b9917178e30


Whilst not not disagreeing with your post , I think you are forgetting about the Human Rights lobby !

I’m sure there will be battalions of Human Rights lawyers and lobbyists gearing up for the next gravy train at the very suggestion of compulsory vaccination .

[CentreLine]

Yep, thanks for your obviously well considered and empathetic point. However, you are talking mince.

"On 22 December 2020, Spain introduced travel restrictions on passenger travel from the UK by air and sea. These measures have been extended until 6pm (GMT+1) on 16 February 2021 (5pm / GMT in the Canary Islands), with the exception of Spanish nationals and those legally resident in Spain.
International transit through Spanish airports by passengers on flights departing from the UK is permitted on presentation of a negative PCR, TNA or LAMP test taken within no more than 72 hours prior to arrival into Spain. "


There are few international flights arriving or departing from Scotland. Continue enforcing essential travel restrictions and increase quarantine compliance measures. If you have travelled, you could have a PCR test 72 hours after arrival (at your own expense). Job done. Is that so hard for reactionary folk to grasp? It's tokenistic nonsense designed to appeal to sheep.

The Scottish Government made a huge error of judgement in allowing non essential travel to resume last summer. The mass return to schools was also pretty ill considered and could have been done differently.

The current measures are not really addressing the current Covid issue, where deaths are still mostly in care homes.

Supermarkets are considered the main source of transmission in the community, yet still you see the same idiots parading around mask less. The local Coop where I live, significant number of people still going in without a mask (no exemption badge). Maybe our currently under worked POlis could raise some revenue by making their presence known in places like Cameron Toll and ensuring that the Covidiots stop taking the piss?

I am thinking that you just wanted to get a whole lot off your chest and I can’t blame you.

May I go through your post a point at a time and offer my own chest clearance.

Spain, like any country, is on a learning curve and has taken the steps you describe. Personally I don’t think they go far enough but any measure like that to be effective here it must be introduced by Westminster where border control is a reserved matter. I do wish they would just close the borders at least until the vaccine has been rolled out.

The scientists, through genomic sequencing, tell us that the original virus was eradicated from Scotland last summer but that international travel, including travel from within the UK, brought fresh infection here. The Scottish Government has pretty much gone as far as it can in border controls as it has very limited space to work with since immigration is wholly a matter for Westminster. What action the SG has taken appears to me to be an attempt to put pressure on the UKG to go a lot further

I agree that schools was poorly handled on the face of hindsight but can see why that would happen. The education of children is a very tough thing to answer and depriving children of that education pretty much impossible to countenance. They are the future doctors, scientists, nurses, plumbers etc etc. Perhaps history will look back on the government and praise them for at least trying to find a balance between health risk and our future.
Distance learning is the way many would have gone but that may simply not be enough to provide the education needed.
Personally, I think we have planted the seeds for a missed generation in education and someone will have to find a solution somewhere. On the other hand, I see the pre-school age children having a fantastic start as they benefit from such close parental attention right now. I sincerely hope that the education system is ready for a generation coming along who already have a significant ability in reading,!writing and understanding on their first day at school.

It has never been the case that deaths were or are “mostly in care homes” Nonetheless, the carehome death rate is, at best a tragedy and at worst, a national scandal. There are some mitigating factors for the decision makers but time will tell what drove those decisions. On a positive note, the Herald reported yesterday that carehome death rates are plummeting right now.

It is quite likely that supermarkets are a source of virus spread as any place where people gather allows the virus to spread. I don’t know if you are right to say that they are the “main source” since I suspect that is the people who continue to have large house gathering and basically don’t give a damn about their actions. However, if supermarkets are the main source it would only be because the other more dangerous places have been closed down.
I also do my main shop at Cameron Toll and in the early days of lockdown saw a ridiculous number of, mostly teenagers, brazenly breaking the rules. I also saw far too much of that on the bus. I rarely use a bus these days so can’t comment on the more recent experience but I am often in Cameron Toll and see only compliance these days. With the possible exception of the Gift Shop that somehow seems to remain open. Maybe they have an essential product but I’m not seeing it.

So here we are, very much in the hands of two governments, each controlling essential parts of our lives and giving us their best version of how they balance the needs of the population. Only history will be able to decide which of them got least things wrong. My money is on the SG. Unfortunately we start from the position where the UK likely has the proportional largest death rate in the world, based on declared stats.

Finally, we now see that there is a huge rise in stroke cases amongst those who have had the virus but not suffered too severely at the time. That has to be a massive concern going forward and is unlikely to be the only long term consequence IMHO

[ScottB]

Kind of suspect European football is going to grind to a halt anyway. See Germany not willing to let English teams in, I think Liverpool are now playing Leipzig in Hungary? Can’t think that sort of work around is going to last for long.

At best might end up with another attempt at finishing those cups off all in one place if they can get a round or two further in.

Would also be surprised if Euro 2020 happens, certainly won’t be spread all over Europe if it does.


The problem that needs to be faced is that jabbing enough of your population is not going to be the end of this, the new focus will need to be preventing the rise of mutations that can get round the jabs, and that means no travel to places that have the virus, and still limiting mixing domestically until cases are near to, or at, zero. See Australia, Perth had one case the other week, city was locked down for 5 days. That’s the sort of thing that’s needed, otherwise the virus still infects people, potentially mutates and we’re back to square one.

The upside of taking that hardline approach is that hopefully we can be back at ER in decent numbers next season, just likely not versus European opposition...

[CentreLine]

The rules are different for flying into Scotland than they are for flying into England and Wales.

They are if you are staying in Wales or England. If you fly in to Wales or England you can avoid the hotel thing but SG is trying to close that loophole. The obstruction is the UKG who have the lead on immigration

[Keith_M]

I can't see this affecting Hibs.

[CropleyWasGod]

Whilst not not disagreeing with your post , I think you are forgetting about the Human Rights lobby !

I’m sure there will be battalions of Human Rights lawyers and lobbyists gearing up for the next gravy train at the very suggestion of compulsory vaccination .

I doubt the Government will let it get that far.

The airlines and insurance companies will take up that particular fight, persuading many to get down off their fences.

[Forza Fred]

Exactly. And I don’t recall any accusations of racism and stuff when they implemented that. Just a year too late for us.

Because it was universal, and not limited to specific countries?