SCOTTISH Tories have been silent on the Welsh Government considering quarantine restrictions for UK citizens, despite being outraged at Nicola Sturgeon for the same idea.
Vaughan Gething, the Welsh health minister, said ministers were assessing their options after Boris Johnson said he did not want to introduce measures to restrict people living in parts of England under lockdown going on holiday in Wales.
First Mark Drakeford had previously written to the Prime Minister to introduce travel restrictions for people in areas of England under local lockdown.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon to ask about Welsh quarantine for entrants from Covid-hit areas
Nicola Sturgeon is to meet the Welsh Government about the decision later today.
It follows a similar move from the Scottish Government in July where Sturgeon failed to rule out imposing quarantine measures on people entering Scotland from the rest of the UK “if it is required from a public health perspective”.
Experts, including the University of Edinburgh’s Devi Sridhar, have said Scotland could eliminate Covid-19 in a matter of weeks – but efforts will be hampered by the country’s 154km Border with England.
At the time, Douglas Ross has claimed talk of imposing quarantine measures on people entering the country from England is “reckless”.
Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw said while his party supports local lockdowns, like the one imposed on Leicester, he would not back “arbitrary measures” on the Scottish Border.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon rejects Tory claim of 'reckless' Scottish Border talk
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: "This talk of quarantining people from other parts of the United Kingdom – it’s disappointing, it’s divisive, it’s not the language we should be hearing from our First Minister because it undermines the joint efforts that we’ve had in tackling Covid-19 and it’s bad for business. It’s especially bad for the tourism business.”
Oliver Mundell said the move was "nationalism at work."
Nationalism at work. Spreading lies, whipping up fear and stoking division. We are one United Kingdom. It is not in our interest to pull up the drawbridge 🏴🇬🇧 https://t.co/MfZSK0qZbl
— Oliver Mundell MSP (@olivermundell) July 12, 2020
Andrew Bowie said: "We are one nation. Scottish, English, Welsh, Northern Irish. We are in this together. Please stop this divisive, nasty talk of closing borders to 'others'."
We are one nation. Scottish, English, Welsh, Northern Irish. We are in this together. Please stop this divisive, nasty talk of closing borders to 'others'.
— Andrew Bowie MP (@AndrewBowie_MP) June 29, 2020
But no Scottish Tories have accused the Welsh Government of being "divisive" by imposing the restrictions.
The Scottish Tories refused to comment when contacted by The National.
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