Edinburgh travel restrictions: can I travel to the airport from Edinburgh and the Lothians - and what are the rules for going abroad?

The travel ban on level three and four areas is now legally enforced

People living in Edinburgh and West Lothian cannot travel to the airport

People who live in Edinburgh and West Lothian cannot travel to the airport for holidays according to Scotland’s new travel restrictions.

However, residents of East Lothian and Midlothian - which are in tier two areas - are allowed to go to Edinburgh Airport, even though it’s in a tier three area.

Here’s how the new rules work - and how they could affect Christmas holidays.

What is Scotland's new travel ban?

The new ban, in force from Friday 20 November, makes it illegal for people in level three or level four areas to travel outside of their council area.

Guidance has been in place for several weeks, but the new rules will mean people will be breaking the law if they travel across the boundaries of their council for non-essential purposes.

Additionally, while international travel is not illegal, travelling to the airport to take a non-essential flight is now illegal for those in tier three and four areas – even if the airport is within the same council area.

What are the rules for Edinburgh and West Lothian residents?

Scotland’s new travel ban makes it illegal for people living in tier three and four areas to travel to airports for non-essential travel, despite international travel being allowed. This means residents of Edinburgh (level three) and West Lothian (level four) cannot go to Edinburgh Airport to take a non-essential flight.

Explaining the contradictory rules, Scottish Cabinet Secretary Mike Russell said: “International travel won't be illegal because it would require the UK to do that, but travelling to the airport or to a port for that purpose would be against the regulations."

In response to a further question regarding whether people in tiers three or four could travel to the airport for a non-essential trip, he responded: “no, they can’t no”.

While international travel from the airports is not allowed, people can physically travel from Edinburgh city to the airport to watch planes take off for example, since the airport is in the Edinburgh City Council area. However, Edinburgh residents can’t go to the airport to get on a flight.

The same rules apply to Glasgow residents, who are banned from going to Glasgow Airport.

Can people in tiers 0, 1 and 2 go to the airport?

People living in level zero, one and two areas can travel to Edinburgh and Glasgow airports for holidays, despite those airports being in higher tiers than their areas.

However for all Scotland residents, international travel is not advised by the Scottish Government unless essential.

East and Midlothian are classed as tier two from Tuesday 24 November.

I don’t want to travel to a tier three or four area, what about other airports in Scotland?

If you live in the level two areas of East Lothian or Midlothian, you can still access any international airport.

However if you are worried about entering a level three or four area to go to an airport, you can opt to travel instead from Aberdeen or Inverness airports as these remain in tier two.

Before booking any winter flights, be aware that countries not on the Scottish Government’s exemption list requires self isolation on your return to Scotland.

How much could I be fined for breaking the travel rules?

You could be fined £30 for breaking the travel rules, doubling to £60 if you do not pay within 28 days.

Repeat offenders can face fines of up to £960.

What level am I in?

East Lothian and Midlothian move from level three to level two on Tuesday 24 November.

Residents of West Lothian will be in tier four while Edinburgh will remain in tier three.

The other local authorities are in the following tiers:

Level four - East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire.

Level three - Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Perth & Kinross.

Level two - Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Argyll & Bute, Borders, Dumfries & Galloway.

Level one - Highland, Moray, Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles.

When will the rules next be reviewed?

While the First Minister announces weekly changes to restrictions every Tuesday, the tier four restrictions in the eleven affected locations are expected to last until 11 December.

Addressing the Parliament on Tuesday 17 November, Nicola Sturgeon said: “We will assess nearer the time the level that will apply in each area when the level 4 restrictions end on 11 December.”