Scottish Greens: International travel restrictions must be the last restriction

Restrictions on international travel must remain in place to allow the rest of the economy to return to something like normality, Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater has said.

Speaking in response to the First Minister’s parliamentary statement the Lothian MSP noted her support for a cautious approach given the exponential growth of Covid cases in recent days.

Lorna Slater said:

“The recent exponential growth of Covid cases in Scotland is cause for concern, and there is a risk of yet more people dying and suffering from Long Covid, before the vaccine roll-out can be completed.

“The Scottish Greens have supported a cautious approach throughout the pandemic, and I welcome the decision to delay lifting restrictions today.

“The travel industry are already advertising and selling holiday, actively encouraging people to travel, even to amber list countries, for non-essential travel, even to amber list countries, for non-essential reasons, not just for family reunions, despite the risk.

"The Scottish Government must adopt a much firmer line on non-essential international travel, particularly while other businesses which pose a much lower risk are still prevented from operating normally.

“The First Minister must accept that if we want to end restrictions, in a safe, and permanent way then non-essential international leisure travel will have to be the last thing to return to normal.”