Sturgeon not ready to rubber-stamp plan for quarantine-free travel

First minister confirms no automatic sign-up to UK’s ‘air bridges’

Scotland will not automatically sign-up in line with the UK’s “air bridges”, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Ms Sturgeon doubled down on her advice for people in Scotland to have a “staycation” as part of efforts to prevent “importing” cases of coronavirus from abroad.

The SNP leader was speaking during yesterday’s daily Covid-19 press conference, at which she said she would not “rubber stamp” the UK Government’s plans to introduce quarantine-free travel.

She hinted further lockdown in Scotland could be implemented should a flare-up of the disease be recorded, noting similar measures being put in place in Spain, Australia and Serbia.

One death confirmed as having been caused by coronavirus was recorded in Scotland between Monday and yesterday, bringing the Scottish total number of deaths under this measurement to 2,849. Ms Sturgeon said 18,302 people have tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by two from 18,300 the previous day.

There are 699 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, an increase of 17 on Monday.

Of these patients, seven were in intensive care, a fall of one.

Airport bosses have accused the first minister of “dithering” on whether air bridges could be introduced – allowing people to travel overseas to some countries and then return home without needing to self-isolate for 14 days.

Places English holidaymakers can visit without having to quarantine on their return include Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Australia, Barbados, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Vietnam

Ms Sturgeon said she would not decide what the country should do based on the rules taken “elsewhere”.

“I understand the impatience here but we must take these decisions properly,” she said.

Travel restrictions in the Borders have been lifted, meaning the limited travel distance guidance in Dumfries, Annan and Gretna now matches the rest of the country, as well as allowing visits to care homes.

Ms Sturgeon said she would take into consideration the comments made by the airline industry.

I understand the impatience here but we must take these decisions properly. NICOLA STURGEON