Scotland Allows Lateral Flow Testing for International Visitors

Scotland has joined England and Wales in allowing lateral flow testing for international visitors landing in the country.

This afternoon, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement, which affects fully-vaccinated visitors from non-red list nations.

Currently, newcomers to Scotland are obliged to take a PCR Covid test on their second day in the country. However, beginning at 4 a.m. on Sunday, 31st October, lateral flow Covid tests will be acceptable if visual documentation is given.

From 5 pm on Friday (29th October), travelers arriving in Scotland will be able to book from a list of authorized providers on gov.uk.

From this Monday, England will allow lateral flow tests. Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, made the announcement on 15th October at Westminster. Eluned Morgan, the Welsh health minister, claimed she was “hesitant” to follow suit when she announced the same adjustment on 31st October.

According to Sturgeon: “For practical reasons, the Scottish government has decided to align with this change.”

She expects lateral flow tests to cost between £20 and £30, which she claims is “less than a PCR test.”

“I am sure that this change will be welcomed by many travelers, and by the travel industry. It is important to stress, however, that if your lateral flow test is positive, you must get a PCR test to confirm the result” said Sturgeon.