Scotland-England cross-border journeys monitored after travel ban

The Scottish Government is monitoring cross-border traffic flows to and from England after a Covid-19 travel ban was announced in an effort to suppress the virus.

But Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the authorities could not "police" journeys and appealed for the public to observe the ban.

He said the Scottish and UK governments were working together to drive down cross-border journeys.

"We're able to monitor the journeys and volume of journeys which are undertaken from Scotland into England and vice-versa through the Transport Scotland traffic monitoring system that is in place, which can give us a very clear impression about the volume of traffic that is making those journeys in both directions," he said.

Border traffic is being monitored

"It is impossible to police every journey, but we would appeal to members of the public to follow the guidance that is very clearly set out that we do not want individuals, for example in a level two area such as the Scottish Borders, to travel to level three areas, whether they are in Midlothian or the City of Edinburgh or East Lothian or whether they are south of the border in Northumberland or in Cumbria."

There are exemptions to the guidance against cross-border travel such as for essential shopping, healthcare and assisting a vulnerable person.

Mr Swinney said: "The Scottish Government is involved in discussions with the UK Government about issues in relation to travel in the United Kingdom and also international travel. We are essentially coming at this from the same perspective that we all want to minimise travel and discourage individuals from travelling.”

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