Nicola Sturgeon criticised the “shifting sands” of UK policy on setting up air bridges as she called for a more speedy decision-making process from the Government.
The First Minister said she wants to “maximise alignment” with the rest of the UK so travellers do not have to quarantine, but added she needs time to study the British Government’s proposals – saying they have regularly changed like “shifting sands”.
UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has revealed quarantine restrictions for people returning to or visiting England from destinations such as Spain, France, Italy and Germany will be lifted from July 10.
Speaking about the policy at the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing on Friday, Ms Sturgeon said: “It is likely – very likely – that we will be able to agree the list of countries that the UK has categorised as low risk, although we will need to do appropriate assessment of that.
“But we need to take some particular care in our assessment of the list of countries that are being categorised as medium risk, because that is where there may be some countries that have a higher prevalence of the virus than Scotland does right now.”
Ms Sturgeon said the list of eligible countries suggested by the UK Government has repeatedly changed, including within the last 24 hours.
She added: “When so much is at stake, as it is right now, we can’t allow ourselves to be dragged along in the wake of another government’s – to be quite frank about it – shambolic decision-making process.
“So we will take time to properly and rationally consider this before, hopefully very soon, setting out our own decision.”
