From Sunday, people travelling to Scotland from abroad can provide a lateral flow test up to 2-days after their arrival, instead of a PCR test. 

In an announcement on Tuesday afternoon, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the change to the testing rules following international travel, in line with those of the UK government. 

Lateral flow tests cost around £20-30, which is much cheaper than the PCR tests for travel, which start at around £50. 

Here's what you need to know about the new testing rules for Scotland after international travel...

When do the new rules on testing after international travel come into place? 

From 4am on Sunday October 31, people who are fully vaccinated travelling to Scotland from non-red listed countries can provide a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test by day-2 of their arrival. 

This is innkeeping with the guidance from the UK government. 

Lateral flow tests are much cheaper than PCR tests, which the first minister acknowledged was likely to be "welcomed" by many people. 

You must order and pay for the lateral flow from a private company - it is not possible to use a free NHS lateral flow test following international travel. 

Do I have to take a test before I travel to UK? 

It depends on your vaccination status and where you are travelling from. 

If you are fully vaccinated travelling from a non-red listed country, you are not required to take a pre-departure test when travelling to the UK from non-red listed countries.  

You are however required to book and pay for a test 48 hours after your arrival.

You will also be required to fill out a passenger locator form before your arrival in the UK. 

These rules for fully vaccinated people will also apply to those under 18, whether fully vaccinated or not. 

What happens if I'm not fully vaccinated?

If you are not fully vaccinated travelling from a non-red listed country, you will still need to:

  • take a pre-departure COVID-19 test – to be taken in the 3 days before you travel to UK
  • book, pay and take day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 tests – to be taken after arrival in UK
  • complete your passenger locator form – any time in the 48 hours before you arrive in UK
  • quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days

What about travel from a red listed country? 

Although the amber and green lists no longer exist, there is still a red list in place. 

Regardless of your vaccination status, when travelling from a red-listed country to the UK you must: 

  • take a pre-departure COVID-19 test – to be taken in the 3 days before you travel to the UK
  • book and quarantine in a specially designated hotel where you will carry out 2 COVID-19 tests
  • complete your passenger locator form – any time in the 48 hours before you arrive in the UK