Covid in Scotland LIVE as pre-departure tests no longer needed for travellers

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Pre-departure covid tests have been scrapped for people heading to or coming back to Scotland from abroad. The Scottish Government 's changes took effect from 4am today, while those coming into the country will also be able to use a lateral flow test instead of a PCR as their post-arrival test, taken on or before the second day of their stay, from Sunday at 4am.

The requirement to self-isolate until a negative PCR is returned will also come to an end.Only travellers above the age of 18 and who are fully vaccinated with two doses are impacted by the change - a booster is not required.Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: "We still have significant concerns over Omicron, but we recognise that now it is the most dominant strain in Scotland and across the UK, it is sensible to review the measures currently in place."We also fully understand the impact of the restrictions on staff and businesses in the travel and aviation sectors, and these changes demonstrate our commitment not to keep measures in place any longer than necessary." To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here. London will receive armed forces support to deal with a high absence rate among health staff but there are "encouraging" signs the city is emerging from the Omicron wave, according to a minister.Minister for London Paul Scully, when asked whether Omicron was easing in the capital, told LBC: "I think it is looking encouraging, the trend at the moment, but clearly we need to be on our guard because there is still pressure on the NHS in London."It is not just about the case numbers - there is a clear disconnect between case numbers and hospitalisations - but you've also then, because of the increased testing and the