AN overseas traveller has said he is happy to do “whatever it takes” as new quarantine measures came into force for Scotland.
People flying directly into a Scottish airport on international flights have to self-isolate for 10 days in a quarantine hotel room, under new regulations taking effect today.
Unless exempt, a passenger will have to pay £1750 to quarantine in a room at one of six designated hotels in a bid to avoid importation of the virus.
Chun Wong arrived at Edinburgh Airport on Monday morning with his eight-year-old daughter Kiernan, having caught a connecting flight in Dublin from the USA.
He said: “I made it, I’m glad I’m here and whatever it takes to stay – I’m good.
“We’ve talked to (my daughter) about it already so it’s going to be a nice hotel stay – if anything we will get our feet settled here.
“I’m just glad that we’ve landed and just getting ready to get settled.
“Even though I’ve got my Covid-19 shots already (I’ll do) whatever it takes to make sure everybody is safe – I’m all for it.”
He added he would spend his time in quarantine with his daughter playing Guess Who, Uno and maybe poker.
While all international travellers to Scotland will be required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival, those arriving in England will only have to do so if they are arriving from a "red list" of 33 countries designated as high risk.
There are fears that the English rules have created a "loophole" where travellers could avoid the Scottish hotel quarantine if they arrive at an English airport from countries not on the UK "red list" and then travel north of the Border.
At today's daily coronavirus briefing, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would not rule out shutting Scotland'S border with England to stop the spread of the virus.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon refuses to rule out closing Scotland-England border to stop Covid
Responding to a question about the risk the loophole poses and the possibility of closing the Border to travellers, Sturgeon said: "I don't rule it out. I would like to have the most effective system in place here so I'm not sure it is the best solution to have if it's the only one I can put into place then it may come to that but why let somebody travel halfway across the UK before you do that?
"It would be better if we had that four nations approach, or at least a three nations approach, where the border of the island that Scotland, England and Wales share had the same provisions in place."
She added: "If you listen to any public health expert right now they say not just for Scotland but for the whole of the UK, this is one of the biggest risks we face so why leave these loopholes? Why be in a position where we are discussing second-best solutions when we can talk to each other to come up with the best solution."
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said earlier today that he is happy to discuss the different strategies with the Scottish Government.
Six hotels have been block-booked in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, with up to 1,300 rooms available.
Three of the the hotels are near Edinburgh Airport, two close to Glasgow Airport and one near Aberdeen Airport.
Scottish Government guidance stipulates those subject to quarantine require a negative Covid-19 test no more than three days before travelling and to have booked at a room at a quarantine hotel in advance.
They will also have to submit a passenger locator form to the Home Office declaring which countries they have been to in the 10 days before arrival in the UK.
Airlines have been asked to check for these and they will also be checked by Border Force officers on arrival, who can issue fines of £480 for non-compliance.
READ MORE: Covid lockdown cut arrivals to the UK by more than 98 per cent, new figures show
Security will then escort passengers to baggage reclaim and to pre-arranged transport to the quarantine hotel.
On arrival at the hotel, they will be given two home testing kits to be used on days two and eight of isolation.
These are covered by the cost as are three meals per day, fruit and soft drinks.
If they test positive at any point they will be required to stay in the hotel for 10 days after the test, at an additional charge starting at £152 daily for the first adult.
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