Coronavirus infection rates are rocketing in Scotland as a row over a travel ban imposed on parts of Greater Manchester continues.
The Mayor Andy Burnham reacted furiously to the Scottish government's decision to ban non-essential journeys between Scotland and Manchester and Salford which came into force last Monday.
It added to a pre-existing ban on travel to Bolton.
Mr Burnham says there has been a 'significant impact' on people and businesses that has left many out of pocket.
He complained that he had not given prior notice of the incoming ban and argued that coronavirus rates in parts of Scotland and Greater Manchester were similar.
The latest data shows covid cases are rising in both areas - but that Scotland now has the highest infection rates in the UK.
In Edinburgh there have been 543 positive cases per 100,000 people, in Midlothian 566, in East Lothian 623 and in Dundee 657.
All four areas are higher than the current infection rate for Salford, which is 416 cases per 100,000 people, and Manchester which is 434.
Mr Burnham took to Twitter last Friday to compare the latest covid data from Scotland which showed the pattern emerging.
"Scotland do a weekly review of their travel ban. Based on latest stats, there’s no justification for Bolton remaining in," he wrote.
"Parts of England & Scotland have much higher rates. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has just called on to lift the Bolton ban today.
"It’s also clear that parts of Scotland have similar or higher case rates than Manchester & Salford. No one here is clamouring for other places to be banned. But we do want to see consistency & fairness in the way this policy is applied.
"We need to hear from the Scottish Government today."
Figures published by the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland today show 202 people are currently being treated for the covid in the nation's hospitals – an increase of 14 from Friday.
There are 20 people with the disease being treated in ICUs across the nation which is up four from Friday.
No new deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours meaning Scotland's death toll from the virus remains at 7,712.
