TRAVELLERS coming to Scotland from overseas will have to show proof of a negative test from the weekend, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Speaking at the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh, the First Minister said those arriving in the country after 4am on Friday will need evidence from the past three days that they have tested negative.

Sturgeon stressed that the test will need to be “highly reliable”, most likely meaning it will have to be a PCR test.

Young children may be exempt from the requirement.

READ MORE: Government to finally require negative Covid test before entry to UK

She said: “I want to be very clear here, this requirement for testing before entry to the country is seen not as a substitute for the protections and mitigations in place, but as an addition to those.

“Testing before entry to the country is not a magic solution to the risk of cases being imported, so it will reinforce rather than replace our current travel restrictions.”

Those travelling from countries not on the quarantine exemption list will still need to self-isolate on arrival.

Pressure had been increasing on the UK Government to introduce testing measures at the borders amid new lockdowns across the nations.

The National:

Airport bosses have been among those calling for the measure, with Gordon Dewar, the chief executive of Edinburgh Airport saying weeks ago: “We need to see a robust testing regime which will protect public health, provide reassurance and see travel and tourism begin to rebuild.”

The Prime Minister and Transport Secretary have previously dismissed appeals from airlines and airports, saying it could create a “false sense of security”.

More details about the UK Government’s plans for testing before travel are expected to be revealed later this week.