WESTMINSTER has been criticised for withholding the results of a completed review into its "red list" system, which requires travellers arriving from certain countries to quarantine in hotels upon arrival in England.
In comparison, all international passengers arriving at Scottish airports must enter the hotel quarantine system unless exempt. The UK Government only requires this of those coming from countries on the list – most of which are in South America and Africa.
A review of the countries on that list was recently completed, but the UK Government has been accused of refusing to share the findings with the devolved nations.
The Scottish Government has said it is following a more proactive than reactive approach by insisting on universal quarantine as it is impossible to predict where new, more dangerous variants of the coronavirus may emerge.
READ MORE: UK's red list system for Covid quarantine is 'inadequate', says Jeane Freeman
Giving evidence to Holyrood’s Health Committee, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “The Joint Biosecurity Centre has already carried out a review of the existing countries and submitted a report to the UK Government on their review of the red list countries.
“However, to date, the UK Government have withheld that report from us.
“I've made representation to the UK Government on this matter, and I know colleagues from the other devolved nations made representations to the UK Government on this matter.”
Matheson said he was “continuing to press for that advice to be provided” and added: “There is a need for that to be addressed urgently.
“I made representations to the UK Government at the Covid-19 meeting just last week asking for that advice to be made available to us.
“But to date, it’s still not being provided.”
READ MORE: UK's ‘red list’ quarantine system undermines efforts to keep Scots safe
Travellers who have been to, or passed through, any of the 33 red-listed countries are deemed to be the highest risk because of possible new variants.
UK residents and Irish nationals arriving in England from red list countries will have to quarantine in hotels selected by the government at a cost of £1750, with every additional adult, or child over 12, costing £650. Children aged five to 12 cost £325.
But in Scotland, all passengers on flights from overseas, except for Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, must isolate in one of the hotels.
A loophole means that travellers who have not come via a red list country can travel via the common travel area and are then allowed to self isolate for 10 days.
The UK Government has been contacted for comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel