European Travel Return Guidance 

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic there are several steps you need to follow when returning to the UK as laid out by the UK Government and devolved administrations. 

Prior to travel ALL athletes must compete the following steps: 

1. COVID-19 Test within 72 hours of return entering the UK 

2. Complete the UK Passenger Locator Form prior to landing in the UK 

3. Book and pay for 10 day managed isolation if returning directly into Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area (CTA) or from a Red Acute List Country through elsewhere in the CTA 

Athletes who have been abroad for training and competition during the winter of 2020/21 but HAVE NOT been given an elite exemption by their National Governing Body and are traveling directly into Scotland from outside the CTA (Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Chanel Islands) you must quarantine for 10 days and have a valid Managed Quarantine Facility booked prior to departure. 

If you arrive elsewhere in the CTA with the intention to travel on to Scotland and have travelled through a Red (acute) list country or territory in the last 10 days before you arrived, you must quarantine and have a valid Managed Quarantine Facility booked prior to departure (unless exempt). 

If you arrive elsewhere in the CTA with the intention to travel on to Scotland and have travelled through an Amber (non-acute) list country in the last 10 days before you arrived, you must self-isolate at a single location e.g. home address directly after traveling there (unless exempt). It is also required to book and pay for testing on day 2 and day 8 of your return. This will cost approximately £200 per test. 

If you are the parent of guardian of an unaccompanied child arriving in Scotland, you can join your child in quarantine. 

If you have not been given an exemption by your National Governing Body, then you must follow the Government Rules around quarantining on return to the UK. 

If you left the UK after 1/1/2021 and in the absence of appropriate visa paperwork, you must ensure that you arrive in the UK by 1/4/2021 in order not to exceed the 90 days in any 180 day period restriction. 

Additional Links: 

https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control 

https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation/elite-sport-return-to-cross-border-competition-guidance 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and resources (sportscotland.org.uk) 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-rules-you-need-to-follow/coronavirus-if-you-enter-the-uk-from-abroad/ 

FAQ 

– Who qualifies for Performance Athlete exemptions to quarantining? Resumption of performance sport guidance (sportscotland.org.uk) 

– Where can I find out more about athlete definitions? Resumption of performance sport guidance (sportscotland.org.uk) 

– What are the red listed countries Coronavirus (COVID-19): red list travel ban countries – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

– If an athlete or staff member flies into England/Wales/Northern Ireland and from a non-red country but with no sport return exemption, where would that person quarantine? They would quarantine for 10 days at home (known as unsupported quarantine) 

– If I have had my vaccine, will I still need to quarantine? Yes. The vaccine is effective but not 100% effective and you can still be a carrier. Additionally, until the whole population is vaccinated, there is always a public health risk