Nicola Sturgeon has said the Scottish Government will make a decision over whether so-called air bridges can be used to allow Scots to holiday abroad without having to quarantine on their return “as soon as we can”.
The First Minister said she hopes the decision will be within days.
But she said more up to date information about coronavirus levels is needed for some countries.
On Friday Sturgeon said said the Scottish Government was “very likely” to agree travel to countries that have been categorised as low risk
But on Monday she said ministers are still waiting for assessment work to be completed.
She added the Scottish Government is “looking more closely at the countries in the amber risk grouping, which are medium, moderate risk”.
The First Minister said the data provided only goes up to June 19 and this is “clearly some time ago” so more information had been requested.
She stressed this is important because of “increasing volatility internationally around levels of the virus”, noting some parts of Spain reimposed lockdowns over the weekend because of spikes in coronavirus cases.
But she told Scots she hopes a decision will be made “within the next couple of days” so the regulations can be put in place for Friday – the same date from which English travellers no longer have to quarantine from after returning from overseas.
On Friday, the UK Government published a list of 73 countries and territories where English holidaymakers can visit without self-isolating on their return.
This includes popular short-haul destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, Greece and Cyprus, as well as long-haul locations including Australia, Barbados, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Vietnam.
Airport bosses said action is needed from the Scottish Government or more jobs will be on the line.
Derek Provan, the chief executive of AGS Airports which owns and manages Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, said: “We need clarity as soon as possible on when we can move to the targeted, risk-based approach of air bridges which will allow us to safely re-establish routes and prevent further jobs being put at risk.
“I appreciate Government has difficult decisions to make during this crisis but we cannot afford any further delay.”
An Edinburgh Airport spokesman said: “Another day and yet more dithering from the Scottish Government.
“Airports never like to hear about delays but when it is having a direct impact on people’s jobs and livelihoods then they are even more unwelcome.
“We need to know what the Government plans to do and we need to know now.”
The spokesman added: “We don’t envy the decisions that the First Minister has to make but decisions are needed and further delay will only compound the already drastic impact that’s been inflicted upon the aviation and tourism sectors.”
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