A TOP public health expert has hit out at William and Kate for travelling to Edinburgh during coronavirus travel restrictions.
Devi Sridhar, who is an expert adviser to the Scottish Government, criticised the Earl and Countess of Strathearn for ignoring a cross-border travel ban when they arrived in Edinburgh this morning.
The visit is part of their festive royal train tour of the country, which will see them thank communities, outstanding individuals and key workers for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.
Sridhar tweeted: "Love it here but some things I will never understand about Britain. Aren’t we all in a pandemic & living under travel restrictions?"
Love it here but some things I will never understand about Britain. Aren’t we all in a pandemic & living under travel restrictions? https://t.co/ECdtvPQ4jF
— Prof. Devi Sridhar (@devisridhar) December 7, 2020
The royals were welcomed to the city by deputy lord lieutenant Sandra Cumming. It’s the first stop on their 1250-mile, three-day tour of England, Scotland and Wales.
However, it is now an offence to travel over the Border between Scotland and England for non-essential purposes.
It's also an offence to travel between level three or level four local authorities.
Edinburgh is currently in level three.
People who violate the rules could be fined £60 unless a “reasonable excuse” such as caring responsibilities, hospital appointments or exercise.
Introducing the ban, last month, First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon said: “These travel restrictions – nobody likes them, I don’t like them – but they are vital in helping us minimise these risks.
“They are vital in helping us avoid having the whole country in the same level or restrictions.
“It is these travel restrictions that mean that even although the central belt has to be in level 4, we can avoid the Highlands or Edinburgh or parts of the country with lower prevalence being in level 4 too.”
READ MORE: William and Kate breach Scots Covid travel ban as royal train tour arrives in Edinburgh
One exemption in the rules allows people to “travel for work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, but only where that cannot be done from your home”.
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