Scots have been advised to avoid travelling to the north west of England following a spike in coronavirus cases.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called an impromptu briefing today (Friday) to share the message that only absolutely essential travel should be happening to the areas involved in a ‘mini lockdown’ following an update from the Prime Minister to the four nations of the UK.
As reported on Glasgow Live, the areas affected include Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire.
Anyone currently in those areas does not need to return to Scotland earlier than planned - but they are advised to ‘minimise contact’ with others for 14 days on arrival home, including avoiding bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues.
Speaking at today’s briefing, the FM said: “If you’re returning to Scotland from these parts of the North of England we’re asking you to minimise your contact with people from outside your own household for 14 days after your return.
“And we’re asking you to avoid, if at all possible, indoor hospitality and areas where you’re more likely to come into contact with people outside your own household.”
Anyone who has future plans to travel to the north west of England has been told: “Unless your travel is absolutely essential, please change those plans”.
A breakdown of local areas affected within England include the city of Manchester, Trafford, Stockport, Oldham, Bury, Wigan, Bolton, Tameside, Rochdale, Salford, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale, Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees.
Sturgeon added: “I’m grateful to the Prime Minister for the update on the recent developments in the North West of England and all four nations agreed on the importance of sharing localised information as we work together to continue to suppress the virus.
“We have always been clear that localised flare ups are likely as we continue to suppress the virus but by responding quickly and appropriately we can limit the effect these have on wider transmission.”
The news coincides with an increase in Covid-19 cases across Scotland, by 30 in the last 24 hours - marking the highest increase in eight weeks.
The FM added that around half of these cases involved people in the 20-39 age group and asked young people to think carefully about their socialising plans.
