Scotland Introduces Mandatory Quarantine For Travellers Returning From Dubai

The Scottish government has introduced mandatory quarantine for travellers returning from Dubai.

It comes as the number of cases of coronavirus in the UAE continues to rise, with a series of passengers returning to Glasgow having tested positive for the deadly disease since the new year.

As a result, from 4am today (11 January), anyone returning to Scotland from Dubai must isolate for 10 days.

And any passengers who have travelled to Scotland from Dubai since 3 January have also been told to isolate for 10 days from the date they arrived back in the country.

Speaking about the reasoning behind the measures, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: "It is evident, both in Scotland and in countries across the world, that the virus continues to pose real risks to health and to life and we need to interrupt the rise in cases.

"Imposing quarantine requirements on those arriving in the UK is our first defence in managing the risk of imported cases from communities with high risks of transmission.

"That is why we have made the decision to remove Dubai from the country exemptions list."

Mr Matheson went on: "Whether or not an overseas destination has been designated for quarantine restrictions, our message remains clear that people should not currently be undertaking non-essential foreign travel.

"People need to stay at home to help suppress the virus, protect our NHS and save lives."

As part of Scotland's measures to keep the country safe and reduce the number of cases brought back, international travellers landing, apart from a very limited number of individual exemptions, must complete a passenger locator form and provide evidence that they have done so on arrival in the UK if requested to do so by a Border Force official.

Those found not to have filled out a form may be fined £60, which can be doubled for each subsequent offence up to a maximum of £480.

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This comes after the UK was plunged into another national lockdown earlier this month, with people being told to stay at home in order that the new strain of the virus can be brought under control before the vaccine is rolled out to more people.

But with the cases continuing to mount up, an intensive care unit nurse has tearfully spoken out about the hours she's spent 'zipping up body bags' in a bid to urge the public to follow lockdown rules.

Ameera Sheikh, 28, says she's unable to sleep because of nightmares and has lost friends and colleagues to the coronavirus.

After zipping up the body bag of her fourth patient in just two days, the ICU nurse told the Mirror: "Please don't break the rules.

"I have worked overseas in less developed countries where they don't have the resources like we do and what is going on right now reminds me of those experiences."

Topics: covid, UK politics, Dubai, Coronavirus, travel, Scotland, Holiday, Politics, Health, Covid-19

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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