New public health measures will come into force today Monday (8 June) to help suppress coronavirus (COVID-19) and prevent new cases being brought into Scotland.
The range of measures, which will be broadly similar to those in other parts of the UK, will include:
- a requirement for residents and visitors entering the UK from abroad to self-isolate for 14 days
- the completion of an online passenger locator form by all travellers prior to travel to supply contact details, travel details and the address of where they will self-isolate
- spot checks at the border by Border Force, who may impose fines on travellers who refuse to comply
- arrangements for some of those arriving into Scotland to be contacted during their period of self-isolation for the provision of public health advice and information
- powers for police to impose a fixed penalty notice for anyone failing to comply with the mandatory conditions, with the ability to report persistent offenders to the Procurator Fiscal for potential prosecution
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said:
“We are, as a country and across the world, continuing to deal with unprecedented challenges that this pandemic brings. These public health measures will play an important part in helping to prevent further spread of the disease.
“These steps are aimed at protecting people and ensuring that we limit spread when our own infection rates are falling. However, they are temporary and will not be in place any longer than deemed necessary to protect public health – as such, they will be reviewed after three weeks.”
Background
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 will come into effect on Monday 8 June.
Where international travellers to Scotland are unable to safely self-isolate in their own accommodation, accommodation will be provided through the UK Government.
Failing to complete the locator form prior to arrival or refusing to complete it could result in a £60 fixed penalty notice rising on an incremental scale to £480. Breaching self-isolation could result in a fixed penalty notice of £480.
Persistent offenders can be reported to the Procurator Fiscal which could ultimately result in prosecution and conviction with a maximum £5,000 fine.
There are limited exemptions to the requirements to self-isolate. Guidance on the new measures including exemptions is available online. Coronavirus (COVID-19): public health checks at borders.
