Navigating Travel to Scotland: My Journey from a Non-Red List Country
Hello everyone,
As I prepared for my recent trip to Scotland, I found myself grappling with numerous uncertainties. To help clarify the process for anyone in a similar situation, I’d like to share my experience traveling from a non-red list country to Edinburgh, with a brief stop in London.
Before diving into my journey, it’s important to emphasize that travelers from non-red list countries do not need to book managed isolation hotels. However, it is essential to secure COVID test kits for your stay.
Step-by-Step Travel Experience
I arrived in Edinburgh via London just two days ago, and here’s how my travel experience unfolded:
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Pre-Travel Preparations: I booked both a 2-day and an 8-day COVID test kit through CTM, sending the kits to my accommodation address in Edinburgh.
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Completing the Passenger Locator Form: I filled out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF), entering the reference number for my test kits. I included only the details for my London flight and the address of my stay in Edinburgh.
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Timing of Departure: I made sure to take the necessary flight within 72 hours of my departure.
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Airport Checks in London: Before boarding my flight to London, I presented my PLF and COVID test results to the airline staff.
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Document Verification Before Boarding: At the London airport, I showed my PLF, test results, the booking confirmation for my test kits, and the purpose of my trip during passport control at Heathrow.
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Luggage Claiming and Transfer: After collecting my luggage, I headed to Terminal 5 for my Edinburgh flight via the subway, where I encountered no questions from transport staff.
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Test Kit Delivery Notification: I received an email confirming the delivery of my COVID test kits by Royal Mail, which was reassuring.
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Checking in for My Edinburgh Flight: At the check-in desk, the attendant requested documentation proving the reason for my departure from the country. I clarified that there was no specific form required for my flight, as the government guidelines indicated that such a form was necessary only for travelers leaving the UK. I presented this information, and she proceeded with the check-in process without further requests.
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Flight to Edinburgh: The flight went smoothly, and after claiming my luggage in Edinburgh, I