Sturgeon ‘bans’ Spain trips due to infection rate

NICOLA STURGEON has effectively banned Scottish residents from going on holiday to Spain.

The Scottish First Minister said a requirement to quarantine for 14 days for any travellers arriving from the country would remain in force north of the border, even though it is being lifted in England tomorrow.

She said higher coronavirus infection rates in Spain justified the move, claiming a prize of “virtual elimination” of the virus in Scotland was within reach.

However, she was warned that the decision would cause further damage to the aviation and tourism sectors in Scotland, while also coming as a blow to thousands of Scottish residents who had been planning a break in Spain.

Ms Sturgeon said self-isolation rules would also continue to apply to travellers from Serbia, although people visiting or returning from the 57 other countries with which the UK government announced “air bridges” last week will not have to quarantine if they go to Scotland.

The SNP leader said the “difficult decision” had been based on evidence.

She cited an infection prevalence rate of 330 people per 100,000 people in Spain, compared to 28 per 100,000 in Scotland, and said some of Serbia’s neighbours had recently closed their borders with the country due to concerns about a spike in cases there. People travelling with English airports would still be checked with data to be shared with Scottish officials, she said.