The Daily Mail has been told to "f*** off" after publishing an article promoting the Highlands as a "splendid" place for self-isolation.
SNP MP Alyn Smith tweeted a screenshot of the article, saying: "Representing a big part of rural Scotland and part of a national park, I say this in all sincerity, the Daily Mail can f*** off. Please, stay at home, our community is not your bolt hole. This is not a holiday opportunity, take it seriously."
Representing a big part of rural Scotland and part of a national park, I say this in all sincerity, the Daily Mail can f*** off. Please, stay at home, our community is not your bolt hole. This is not a holiday opportunity, take it seriously. pic.twitter.com/QGexovqcAS
— Alyn Smith MP 🏴🇪🇺🏳️🌈 (@AlynSmith) March 21, 2020
MP Stewart McDonald urged people not to follow the advice in the article saying it is "grossly unfair" on the communities. He told people not to travel and that self-isolation is not a holiday.
Folks this isn’t a holiday. Don’t travel to other parts of the country for a few days away - it’s grossly unfair on those areas. Stay at home! pic.twitter.com/Q0PHpAHe1y
— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) March 21, 2020
It comes as much of the UK shuts shop, with pubs, clubs and restaurants ordered to close to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
New figures from the Scottish Government also showed that a total of 373 people have now tested positive for Covid-19.
In the last 24 hours the number of cases has increased by 51, with deaths rising by one.
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Brendan O’Hara MP said: “This is deeply irresponsible at a time when people are being advised to avoid all non-essential travel and social contact.
“The Daily Mail should not be encouraging tourists to visit Jura in the middle of a health emergency, which would risk a further a further spread of Covid-19, and put the local community at risk.”
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