The UK Government has announced that from the 24th of October, fully vaccinated passengers and most under 18s arriving in England from countries not on the red list for travel can take a cheaper lateral flow test, on or before day 2 of their arrival into the UK.

Instead of the previously advised PCR test which can be booked from 22 October.

The policy on testing requirements for international passengers arriving in Scotland is devolved and the Scottish Government have not yet confirmed that they will ease testing requirements in line with England from the 24th of October.

Scottish Chambers of Commerce has therefore consulted with colleagues in the Scottish aviation sector this morning who have endorsed a letter to the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson MSP and the following press statement from Scottish Chambers of Commerce, calling for Scotland’s international travel testing policies to align with England: 

“The introduction of Lateral Flow Tests for vaccinated passengers arriving into England from non-red list countries is a positive step which will boost consumer confidence and slash the costs of international travel.  

“International travel and the aviation sector have been hit incredibly hard by the pandemic and businesses in the industry have faced a challenging recovery, so further steps towards greater normalisation and full re-opening are incredibly positive.

“Throughout the course of the pandemic, Scottish businesses have highlighted the need for the Scottish Government to maintain a four nations approach to the easing of international travel restrictions and this should also apply to LFT testing for vaccinated passengers arriving into Scotland.

“Alignment enables Scotland’s aviation sector to remain competitive and businesses and consumers need urgent confirmation that the easing of testing requirements in Scotland will align with England from the 24th October in order to support investment, boost international trade and exports, and help maintain the many thousands of jobs that are supported by Scotland’s connectivity with the world.”