✅   Evaluation of risk-based travel policy for the COVID-19 epidemic in Scotland: a population-based surveillance study

Science

Objectives We aimed to assess the effects of risk-based travel restrictions on (1) international travel frequency, (2) SARS-CoV-2 case importation risk, (3) national SARS-CoV-2 incidence and (4) importation of SARS-CoV-2 variants into Scotland. Design Population-based surveillance study. Setting The study utilises SARS-CoV-2 community testing from February 2021 to May 2022 in Scotland, UK and spans the introduction of the UK’s ‘traffic light system’ policy in May 2021. Primary outcome measures Travel-related cases of COVID-19 were defined as PCR-positive Scottish residents self-reporting international travel within 14 days of booking a postarrival travel test. The Red-Amber-Green (RAG) status of the reported travel destination was determined through data linkage using country and date.

BMJ     Nov 30, 2024