When can we go on summer hol?
Families in limbo amid SNP-Westminster spat
SCOTS’ summer holiday dreams have been plunged into confusion after a row erupted over a UK-wide relaxation on quarantine rules.
The Scottish Government has said it was not consulted on the proposal by UK counterparts, and is refusing to back it.
It means English families can now search for getaway deals but Scots remain in limbo.
The UK Government is expected to relax its own rules this week, meaning people returning from countries such as France, Spain, and Greece will not have to quarantine for 14 days.
Yesterday, the Scottish Government said it was angry at not being consulted and refused to say if it would follow suit. However, the UK Government said Scots officials had been made aware.
Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw said: ‘Decisions on quarantine need to be taken without unnecessary delay by the Scottish Government so that people can plan their hardearned holidays.’
People living north of the Border must abide by Scottish Government quarantine rules, even if they fly from English airports. Anyone who breaches quarantine laws in Scotland risks a fine of up to £480 and prosecution.
While the Scottish Government was officially angry at the lack of consultation, one of its senior advisers indicated there could soon be movement north of the Border, too.
National Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch told BBC Radio Scotland’s Off the Ball show: ‘The UK Government will take a view and then the First Minister will take a view with her Government on what we should do with exemptions, and who can come in and out of the country. I wouldn’t book a holiday yet, until you know what’s happening, but it’s probably not impossible that some things will happen in the late summer.’
The Foreign Office will also lift its advice against ‘all but essential travel’ to low or medium-risk destinations this week, making it possible to obtain travel insurance.
Tour operators were yesterday offering record discounts of up to 70 per cent for trips to France, Spain, Italy and Greece.
The changes will let foreign tourists visit the UK, giving a huge boost to the beleaguered hospitality sector.
The Scottish Government refused to say whether it would follow the UK Government’s lead. A spokesman said: ‘This is a matter for Scottish Ministers, who have not yet taken a final decision.
‘The Scottish Government had anticipated a four-nations Ministerial discussion before the UK Government’s announcement, and it is disappointing that this has not yet taken place.’
A spokesman for Number 10 said that officials had spoken to their counterparts in devolved administrations.