HOLIDAYMAKERS finally have the news they've been waiting for - passengers can now travel to Spain without the need to quarantine.

The Scottish Government has scrapped the isolation period for Spanish arrivals following a review of infection prevalence rates and includes both the mainland and the Spanish islands being added to a list of destinations exempt from the quarantine rules.

Since July 10, travellers arriving in Scotland from 57 countries and 14 UK overseas territories that reported similar or lower levels of Covid-19 infection than Scotland were no longer required to self-isolate.

Exemptions from the self-isolation requirement are kept under regular review and any increase in the prevalence of the virus could result in the requirements being put back in place.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Following this latest review and having carefully considered the potential public health impact of changing the country exemptions for quarantine, we are able to lift that requirement for those travelling from Spain.

“We are continuously keeping other countries under review and where there is clear evidence that it is safe to do so, we will add further countries.”

Ayr Advertiser: Humza Yousaf Humza Yousaf

He added: “Clearly the virus has not gone away. “It is still active and it is still deadly. With the quarantine restrictions being lifted from these countries this means we have to be even more careful about what we are doing.

“Anyone travelling should follow public health advice at all times including wearing face coverings, avoiding crowded places, washing hands and surfaces, staying two metres apart and self-isolating if they get symptoms and immediately registering for a test.”