THE UK is expected to relax blanket restrictions on non-essential overseas travel in little over a week – and the move has reportedly come as a surprise to the Scottish Government.
From July 6, it is understood that holidaymakers will be able to travel to certain European countries without needing to quarantine for 14 days when they come back.
The countries are expected to include Spain, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Turkey, Germany and Norway, but not Portugal or Sweden.
A UK Government spokesman said the new relaxed rules would give the public the chance to go on holiday while boosting the economy, but added the easing of restrictions depends on Covid-19 risks not rising above current levels.
A traffic light system will come into force, which will classify countries as green, amber or red depending on coronavirus infection rates in each place.
But according to a BBC Good Morning Scotland report this morning, Holyrood ministers were not informed of the UK Government’s announcement at a four-nations ministerial discussion before it took place.
Meanwhile a Welsh government source said communication with London on the matter had been "patchy".
A Scottish Government spokesperson said nothing had been decided yet: “No final decisions, including on the possibility of amending or adding to the exemptions, have been made and we await confirmation of a planned four-nation ministerial meeting ahead of any announcement being made.”
A UK Government source told The Guardian that all four devolved nations had signed up to the plan.
The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
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