Police have 'a job to do' amid reports of Scotland-England border checks

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has said the police have a "job they need to do" amid reports of motorists being stopped at the border.

Ms Freeman made it clear that coronavirus travel restrictions include exemptions which would allow people to make cross-border journeys for essential purposes.

The Health Secretary gave the daily coronavirus briefing today in the absence of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and was questioned about MSPs and MPs in Border constituencies who have been seeking to reassure constituents crossing the Scotland-England border for essential purposes.

Travel restrictions are in place across Scotland

It comes amid reports that some people making the crossing have been stopped by police and asked what the reason for their journey was.

Ms Freeman said she could not comment on police operational matters.

But she added: "If the police do stop you or they ask you what you're doing, they are doing that as part of making sure that you understand what the rules are and and encouraging you to comply with those rules.

"Of course there are restrictions there on travel, but there are also exemptions.

"Exemptions for essential travel include travel for work or travel to look after a vulnerable adult or care and those are perfectly acceptable exemptions.

"The police will do the job they need to do as well as they have done right throughout this pandemic.

"But we all need to know what the restrictions are that matter and apply to use, but also to know that there are exemptions in certain instances."

Scots are not allowed in and out of Covid hotspot council areas which have been designated in level three or four under the current tiered system of restrictions which are in place across Scotland.

The rules have also been enshrined in law, meaning fines can be issued for any breaches.

The restrictions also apply to cross-border travel, but have prompted concerns among residents in the Borders who would usually travel to Berwick for shopping and essential supplies.

However, the exemptions do include obtaining food and medical supplies, as well as doing paid or charity work if it is not possible to do these from home.

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