Nicola Sturgeon is being blamed by the UK government for the lack of an announcement on air bridges to holiday destination in Europe.
Grant Shapps, the UK Transport Secretary, signalled to MPs that plans to announce countries which will be exempt from quarantine restrictions have been delayed by the First Minister.
Sturgeon immediately condemned the claim in a post on social media, hitting back: "This is a misrepresentation of the position by Grant Shapps - which is disappointing but sadly not surprising."
People arriving in the UK, including people returning from holiday, are currently required to self-isolate for a fortnight to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
The UK Government is expected to announce a list of countries which will be exempt from the restrictions this week, but so far details have not been published.
The First Minister had criticised the UK Government for failing to consult her ahead of announcing proposed changes to the quarantine regime.
On Monday, she said she wanted to “take a bit of time to consider the public health impact” of the plan and the evidence underpinning it.
Relations between Edinburgh and Whitehall have already been strained this week with squabbles over the suggestion Sturgeon could close Scotland to English tourism - a move she has not ruled out on public health grounds.
In the Commons, Shapps appeared to blame the devolved administrations for the lack of an announcement on air bridges.
When SNP transport spokesman Gavin Newlands raised concerns about aviation workers Shapps responded that he needed the help of nationalist MPs.
He said: "I’d appreciate his help in ensuring that air bridges can get going as quickly as possible.
"I’m very keen to get the devolved administrations, including the Scottish Government, on board so we can get this thing announced."
The Transport Secretary also told SNP MP Philippa Whitford: "There is something the honourable member may be pleased that she can do, which is to ask the Scottish Government to join with us in ensuring we can have these air bridges in place nationwide as quickly as possible."
As many as 75 countries could be exempted from the quarantine restrictions when the list is finally expected to be published on Friday.
The list will lift the Foreign Office ban on non-essential travel to nearly all EU destinations, the British territories including Bermuda and Gibraltar, as well as Turkey, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand, according to reports.
Downing Street played down the leaked list ahead of the official announcement.
