Cruise control: Red list students may have to quarantine on ships

THOUSANDS of students arriving in Scotland from red-list countries could be quarantined on cruise ships because of a lack of available hotel rooms.

All those travelling from countries in the highest risk tier are forced to self-isolate for ten days in ‘managed quarantine’ hotels.

However, ministers are currently deciding how best to deal with more than 5,000 international students who are expected to arrive for their courses in September from red-list countries.

With the tourism industry now open and all major legal restrictions to be lifted in Scotland on August 9, it is thought that availability of hotel rooms in quarantine hotels will be tight.

Yesterday, The Sunday Times revealed that empty cruise ships off the coast could be used to house students for their ten-day self-isolation period.

The disclosure led to a backlash from opponents who claimed the move would put youngsters at risk – with previous guidance against travel on cruise ships following early outbreaks on ships in 2020.

However, it is understood that ships – if used – would house students in separate rooms, just like in hotels with travellers confined to the space and unable to access other areas.

Last night, a spokesman for the

Scottish Government said: ‘The Scottish Government is exploring a range of options in order to increase capacity in managed quarantine facilities to meet the forecast demand for international students arriving from red-list countries.’

At present, there are 56 countries on the red list, including India, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Scottish Labour health spokesman Jackie Baillie claimed that cruise ships would create ‘petridish like conditions which risk a huge spread of the virus’.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: ‘It is incredible that the SNP are even considering cruise ships. There must be other alternatives.’

Professor Linda Bauld of Edinburgh University said cruise ships provide a ‘particular challenge for infection control’.

Tomorrow Nicola Sturgeon is set to confirm whether Scotland will move to Level Zero, with a significant easing of all major restrictions due in August. She has also confirmed that ministers and officials are considering whether to follow England by axing self-isolation for double-jabbed people returning to the UK from amber list countries.

This could see Scots able to holiday without having to quarantine at home following a negative test.

Mr Ross said: ‘The hotel quarantine system was a botched mess and this idea would appear to face many of the same issues.

‘Of course, there will be capacity issues as we manage students arriving from abroad but there must be other alternatives to these draconian proposals.

‘These proposals would also be a slap in the face for the cruise sector, which have been stopped from sailing to Scottish ports.

He added: ‘The SNP need to set out the rationale for these proposals and what measures are going to be put in place to protect student welfare.’

Last month the Government sparked fury after nearly 1,000 passengers aboard the MSC Virtuosa were prevented from entering Greenock, Renfrewshire, for a day-long stop-off.

The UK cruise had only stopped at other points in the country – but passengers were not allowed entry to Scotland.

‘Exploring a range of options’