Scots advised against travel to northern England amid Covid-19 spike

Nicola Sturgeon has “strongly advised” Scots not to travel to parts of northern England affected by a spike in coronavirus cases.

The First Minister made the plea after the UK Government imposed tougher lockdown restrictions in some areas.

People from different households in Greater Manchester, parts of East Lancashire and West Yorkshire are now once again banned from meeting each other indoors.

The new rules also ban members of different households from mixing in pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues – although businesses will remain open for those visiting individually or from the same household.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Government has “demonstrated that we’re prepared to take the action that’s necessary to keep people safe”.

Ms Sturgeon said Scots who are already visiting the affected areas do not need to cut their trips short, but she urged them to follow the new rules where they are.

She discussed the situation with Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a call with the leaders of the devolved administrations on Friday.

Ms Sturgeon welcomed the action, saying “we will all face challenges like this in the period ahead”.

Urging Scots not to travel to affected areas, she tweeted: “To ensure we don’t add to their challenge and also minimise risks of onward transmission here, @scotgov is STRONGLY advising against non essential travel between Scotland and these parts of the north of England.

“If you are from Scotland and already visiting one of these areas, you don’t have to cut short your visit – but please abide by the rules while there and be extra vigilant when you come home, especially for symptoms.

“We are surrounded by warnings right now that Covid hasn’t gone away and may indeed be on the rise again. We ignore these warnings at our peril.”