'You're putting lives at risk': Emergency laws set to stop travel to remote areas

New emergency laws could see the police handed new powers.

New emergency laws could see the police handed new powers to stop people decamping to more remote parts of the country, amid concerns of camper vans to the Highlands and Islands to escape Coronavirus.

The public has been warned against heading north to escape the impact of the virus by political leaders who are calling for them to stay at home.

Scotland Office minister Douglas Ross said it was an issue in his native Moray as well as in the Highland and Islands.

The public has been warned against heading north to escape the impact of the virus by political leaders who are calling for them to stay at home. PA photo: Andrew Milligan .

"It is affecting the Highlands, Moray and many parts of Scotland and indeed across the UK," he told BBC Politics Scotland today.

He insisted that the advice of people is clear.

"Stay at home, don't risk yourself and others by gong to more remote parts of the country where the NHS will be under pressure, local shops will be under pressure. Think of yourselves, think of others. Sta at home, it's a simple message.

Emergency Covid-19 legislation will be debated in Parliament this week.

"The powers are there in this Bill to allow us at a UK level and at a devolved level to instruct people, to enforce people," he said.

"We really shouldn't need these measures. The advice is very clear and very easy to understand. You are putting yourself at risk, you're putting NHS at risk, you're putting lives at risk.

"Stay at home. We shouldn't need to enforce this, but tomorrow when this bill is debated in Parliament, the powers will be coming to the Scottish Parliament to deal with this if we have to."

Asked if the new powers would contain new powers for certain towns to be "sealed off" if clusters emerged that need to be contained, Mr Ross added: "This bill gives extensive powers to the UK Government and the Scottish government to deal with a pandemic that we've never had to deal with before.

"So, yes there are a wide range of measures in the Bill allow us as Governments across the country to work in the best interests of the populations that we are here to represent and serve."

Scotland's Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop also hit at people heading north, insisting they are putting themselves and local communities at risk.

"If they get ill there, they will compromise the health of others that are living in the Highlands and Islands.

"So my advice is to stay where you are, do not travel to the Highlands. stay home if you want to stay safe."

“We need the co-operation of everybody. This is a national emergency that requires everyone to co-operate.”Ms Hyslop said the emergency legislation will give the Scottish and UK Governments “specific powers.”

She added that local authorities will have their own licensing arrangements that could help tackle the situation.

The powers the emergency legislation will give Governments “greater power than they’ve ever had before”, Ms Hyslop said.

“That’s a big change for people, we understand that. So we’re appealing for people to use their common sense for their safety, the safety of their families and vital communities.”