Calmac Ferries have shared a customer update on whether it's likely they will be able to offer non-essential travel in the near future due to lockdown easing.
The ferry company, which is currently following Scottish Government advice on providing ferries only for those who live on the islands and need them for essential travel, stated that it is likely the that the current essential lifeline timetable will remain in operation until at least 30 June.
Posting on their website, the passenger transport firm wrote: "We shared an update with our customers last week as Scotland took its first steps to move carefully out of lockdown, into phase one of the Scottish Government's route map.
"We said we would let you know as soon as we had more information on the next phase of our timetable.
"We are continuing to work with the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland to implement travel and transport guidelines. The latest update is that the current essential lifeline timetable will remain in operation until at least 30 June 2020 . While we work to establish our future timetable, no future bookings will be available until at least 30 June 2020 ."
Currently, travel is offered only to island residents who have an essential need to travel to or from the mainland and for essential supplies or business.
If they wish to travel, they must provide evidence that they are either an island resident, a key worker or travelling to provide medical support to family members.
Though Scotland is entering phase one of lockdown easing, Calmac stated it will continue to follow the original guidance issued on March 22nd, adding that when it agrees the next phase of its timetable, it will still look "very different" to its normal service while the management team implement social distancing measures.
Speaking about a possible new timetable next month, a spokesperson said: "It will remain focused on the priority lifeline services and the changing needs and welfare of island communities."
Anyone who had booked non-essential travel this summer can find out more from the Calmac website or by contacting them directly, the ferry company has also stated it will waive the cancellation fee should anyone need to cancel their tickets.
