We understand that there have been many changes to guidance, and it can be hard to keep up. The answers are out there, and we’ve compiled a list of the most asked questions – with answers and links to where you can find out more.
From what hospitality businesses can and can’t do in respect of bookings to what’s happening over the Christmas period to travelling between levels / tiers, we’ve got it covered.
Tourism and hospitality guidance
Answer: Under current Scottish law, given the state of the epidemic in those countries, unless you have a reasonable excuse (see exceptions) you must not travel between Scotland and:
- England
- Northern Ireland
- Wales
- County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland
- Jersey
You must not travel for a Christmas bubble gathering to or from the rest of the UK.
The regulations prohibit travel without a reasonable excuse into or out of a Level three or four local authority area, or between Scotland and other parts of the Common Travel Area (currently England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey and County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland). The regulations list a range of different things for which travel is permitted. Please remember that it is important for everyone’s safety that we all minimise such travel as much as possible.
Travel abroad
Whether over Christmas or beyond the strong advice is that people should not travel overseas for non-essential reasons, and once all of Scotland is in Level three and four, non-essential travel into and out of Scotland will be prohibited.
Answer: Both. If your restrictions mean that you can't leave your local authority area, then you should follow that guidance. If you can travel, once in a location people are expected to abide by the local rules in the place they are staying.
Where rules differ in other UK nations and overseas, people must follow relevant local travel restrictions and are urged to think hard about the public health implications, and if travelling outside the UK, the potential quarantine implications.
Unless you have a reasonable excuse, you must not travel between Scotland and England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Find out more on Scottish Government travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
To prevent transmission of the virus between areas with different levels of prevalence we now have travel restrictions which impact on the holiday and visitor sector. Read the Scottish Government advice and guidance on how to travel safely
Read the UK Government guidance on travelling from England to other UK nations
Answer: If you live in a level 0, 1, or 2 area in Scotland, or are considering travel to Scotland from anywhere else you should minimise unnecessary journeys between areas in different levels, you must, by law, avoid any unnecessary travel to places in level 3 or 4 areas and if you have to travel for essential purposes, you should follow the guidance on travelling safely.
Those living in level 3 areas can still take day trips and visit attractions / stay in accommodation in their own area. You must, by law, remain within that area unless you have a reasonable excuse (see exceptions) and if you have to travel for essential purposes, you should follow the guidance on travelling safely
If you live in a level 4 local authority area you you must, by law, remain within that area unless you have a reasonable excuse (see exceptions), you should also keep journeys within the area to an absolute minimum and if you have to travel for essential purposes, you should follow the guidance on travelling safely. Visitor attractions / accommodation are closed in level 4 areas.
You should only take new bookings that are in line with the travel restrictions. In level 0, 1 and 2 this means that you can take bookings from guests coming from areas that are in the same levels. In level 3 you should only take bookings from those within your own area. In level 4 accommodation is closed.
Read the Scottish Government advice and guidance on how to travel safely
If you live or work anywhere where there are protective measures in place – at whatever level – you should not travel to another area to avoid them.
Answer:
- Level zero – closest to normality which the government can get to without a vaccine or effective treatment. Maximum of eight people from three households permitted to meet indoors and most businesses open.
- Level one – a maximum of six people from two households permitted to meet indoors, with most businesses permitted to operate close to normality. (Socialising rules will be kept under review and may at times differ)
- Level two – no gatherings between households permitted indoors and limitations on hospitality.
- Level three – strict restrictions on hospitality businesses and indoor gatherings. However, restaurants will be permitted to open at least partially.
- Level four – closer to a full lockdown, with the closure of non-essential shops. This will be used at times when the virus is running out of control and the NHS is at risk of being overwhelmed. However, six people from two households will still be permitted to meet outdoors, manufacturing and construction will be able to continue, and there will be no limit on outdoor exercise.
Answer: The obligation to be within the local authority area - and stay within the rules - is with the household renting the property / booking a meal and not with the accommodation provider / business. We would encourage businesses to ensure households comply with the requirements. This could include messaging about household requirements on websites or booking processes.
Where a group booking is taken, customers should be reminded of the current government guidance and reminded that where individuals are not from the same household that physical distancing must be maintained whilst on the premises. It is recommended that this be documented within your procedures. The limit for groups meeting up (indoors and outdoors) is now a maximum of six people from two different households, with children under 12 exempt.
As a business you should ensure your booking system is arranged so that it does not accept bookings that exceed these numbers. A simple step is to ensure staff who are taking calls for bookings are asking the right questions, including – is everyone from not more than two households? Are there any children under 12 from the same two households (as these do not count towards the six)? Businesses should not accept bookings from groups that are clearly exceeding the limit.
Christmas guidance
Answer: The regulations prohibit travel without a reasonable excuse into or out of other parts of the Common Travel Area (currently England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey and County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland).
Any guest currently booked into tourism / leisure accommodation must check out on Christmas Day 25 December and return home as the mainland pf Scotland goes into level four from 00:01 on Boxing Day.
Note guests are NOT permitted to stay over on Christmas day eve and check out on Boxing Day.
On Christmas day you will be legally able to travel within Scotland, but should try to stay as local as possible.
You can only travel only within Scotland to meet those in your Christmas bubble and you must travel and return home on 25 December.
You must not travel for a Christmas bubble gathering to or from the rest of the UK.
From Boxing Day / 26 December as part of the Level four and three restrictions you will be legally required to remain within your local authority, except for essential purposes such as caring responsibilities.
Answer: No. Bubbles can only gather in a private home, outdoors or at a place of worship. The private home must be in the local authority area which one of the bubble members has their main residence.
In all other settings, such as hospitality, leisure or entertainment venues (indoors and outdoors), those who have formed a bubble should remain within their own household and not mix with others.
Socialising and opening hours for pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes are as per the local authority protection levels that the venue is situated in.
Answer: The planned easing of restrictions around Christmas will be limited to Christmas Day itself, and not the previous five day window that was planned. You must leave the gathering by the end of the 25 December.
Any guest currently booked into tourism / leisure accommodation must check out on Christmas Day 25 December and return home as the mainland pf Scotland goes into level four from 00:01 on Boxing Day.
Note guests are NOT permitted to stay over on Christmas day eve and check out on Boxing Day.
From Boxing Day, all of Scotland will have Level four restrictions applied, including the closure of non-essential retail and hospitality. The only exceptions will be Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, and the other island communities where restrictions have been reduced in recent weeks, who will be placed in Level three.
Under current Scottish regulations, unless you have a reasonable exception, you must not travel between Scotland and England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Answer: There is no change to international travel during the festive period. Travellers arriving in Scotland from certain countries and regions overseas may be required, by law, to quarantine by self-isolation for 14 days after arrival. See the list of countries to which this applies. The list is reviewed frequently against the evidence available and it changes from time to time.
Guidance on international travel and quarantine.
If you travel back from a country, to which the quarantine rule applies, to another part of the UK, but your final destination is Scotland, you must follow the rules that are in place in Scotland.
Useful links
Read the full list of really useful frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the tourism and hospitality guidance.
Read more on Scotland’s protection levels and / or England's local restriction tiers.
Table with breakdown of what it means for tourism and hospitality in each level.
Scottish Government tourism and hospitality guidance
Guidance on international travel and quarantine
Read the UK Government guidance on travelling from England to other UK nations
Check Scotland’s protection level via the Postcode checker.
Full Christmas guidance and FAQs on VisitScotland.org