The SNP's justice secretary has said he understands why some Scots have been left angry at the decision to reimpose a 14-day quarantine for people arriving from Spain.
The Scottish and UK Governments announced that people arriving in the country from Spain would have to self-isolate.
Humza Yousaf told the BBC that the change was made after "deeply alarming" data from Spain showed the country was dealing with a second coronavirus spike.
He said it is “inevitable” that countries which are currently on the exempt list for quarantine will be removed as spikes in coronavirus cases emerge.
Nicola Sturgeon has warned against international travel which is non-essential.
Some were left disappointed by the decision after travelling to the country when the Scottish Government added Spain to the list of quarantine-free countries.
It means many will have to unexpectedly self-isolate.
Speaking on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland radio programme, Humza Yousaf acknowledged how “frustrating and disappointing” the situation was, but said international travel would continue to have an element of risk.
He said: “The reason is very much based on the public health data we received on Saturday from the UK Government that showed a deeply alarming trend in Spain.
“In the space of a week, from the 17th of July to the 24th of July we saw cases in Spain almost double from 5,700 to 11,000.”
Yousaf said there would be "lessons to learn" when asked if it was a mistake to take Spain off the quarantine list.
“When we made the decision to remove Spain, the decision was based on the data.
“So the prevalence, which is the percentage of the population per 100,000 that is infectious, that has dramatically reduced, in fact it was lower than what Scotland’s was.
“Clearly on reflection, perhaps there are some lessons for us to learn, I’m never against us doing that.
“I think that’s important for us to do, particularly because without a global vaccine being available there are going to be times when countries are going to be taken off the exempt list, put back on the list, depending on the data that we receive.”
Admitting he understood the dissapointment, Yousaf added that there would continue to be an element of risk with international travel.
To receive one WhatsApp message a day with Edinburgh Live's headlines, as well as breaking news alerts, text NEWS to 07899067815. Then add the number to your contacts as 'Edinburgh Live'.
He said: “Of course I understand why people will be disappointed, I understand why people would be frankly quite angry.
“But I hope people understand that the only reason we choose to make decisions is based on the public health data we receive and is in the best interests of keeping people safe here in Scotland.”
Want all the very latest political news from Holyrood and beyond? Be the first to know and join our Scottish politics Facebook group.
The Economy Secretary was in touch with travel companies to discuss support, he said.
Passengers scheduled to travel to Spain were advised by Jet2 to arrive at the airport as scheduled.
