A top Scottish Government coronavirus advisor has ignored official advice issued by Nicola Sturgeon and has moved his Edinburgh family to self-isolate in his island holiday home.
Professor Mark Woolhouse, an Edinburgh University epidemiologist, has angered locals in the remote Hebridean island, Lismore, by taking his family there temporarily.
The professor who sits on the Scottish Government's coronavirus task force arrived in the Hebridean Island just a few hours before Nicola Sturgeon issued people to stay in their homes.
One islander, who didn’t want to be named, told the Daily Record: “It’s just another example of hypocrisy.
"Locals in Lismore are far from happy because coronavirus refugees put the community in danger.
“There’s not even a doctor or nurse on the island.
“Just as Professor Woolhouse came here, various politicians were telling people to stay away from the Highlands and Islands.”
It is being reported that Professor Woolhouse decided to travel to the tiny island, which has a population of 146 people, despite Nicola Sturgeon advising the public to stay away from second homes and rural communities.
The revelation comes just a week after Scotland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, was sacked for traveling to her second home in Fife despite advising the public to stay at home.
The First Minister told a press conference on Sunday, March 22, members of the public should not try and outrun the outbreak.
She added: “Those who do not normally live on the islands and who have travelled there in the last few days will be able to leave to reduce pressure but from now on ferries will be for those who live on our islands, who have an essential need to travel to and from the mainland and for essential supplies or business.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Prof Woolhouse has complied with the guidance as he and his family were staying in their home in Argyll before the current lockdown measures were implemented.
“Prof Woolhouse and his family did not to travel back to Edinburgh after lockdown began – in line with government guidance – as staying at home constitutes the safest course of action in terms of public health, and will help protect our NHS and save lives.”
