Concern voiced at managed isolation scheme

The first people to enter Scotland’s new “managed isolation” quarantine programme touched down in the country yesterday, amid a political row.

Edinburgh Airport said a significant number of passengers decided not to board a flight leaving Turkey after arriving at the airport, and it is understood only a handful travelled to the capital.

Edinburgh Airport was critical of the Scottish Government’s handling of the new legislation, saying it was “lacking in basic detail and knowledge of our operations”.

All passengers arriving in Scotland from outside the common travel area have to pay up to £1,750 a head to quarantine at one of six designated hotels, unless exempt.

In England the UK Government will only require hotel quarantine for visitors from a “red list” of 33 countries designated as high risk, meaning travellers arriving from elsewhere could avoid it by entering Scotland via England.

Visitors still have to self-isolate for 10 days but do not have to do so at one of the designated hotels due to a lack of agreement between the Scottish and UK governments.

Westminster Health Secretary Matt Hancock denied the UK Government is leaving the back door open to new variants of coronavirus.

He told the BBC’S Good Morning Scotland he had not had “direct conversations” with counterparts in Scotland but is happy to discuss it with the Scottish Government.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she wanted the UK Government “to work with us” so that anyone “destined for Scotland” is required to quarantine near the point of arrival.