Scots warned against cross-border travel for takeaways

Scots have been warned against cross-border travel into England as new coronavirus restrictions come into force which will mean different lockdown regimes between the two countries.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has said travel in and out of both countries should not be taking place at all unless it is for an essential purpose.

This weekend will see new measures introduced north of the Border, meaning people cannot enter cafes for a takeaway coffee. Instead they must be served through a hatch or doorway from the pavement. It has resulted in many smaller establishments warning they will be forced to shut.

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Scots have been warned against cross-border travelScots have been warned against cross-border travel
Scots have been warned against cross-border travel
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Ms Freeman was asked at the daily coronavirus briefing on Friday about the prospect of Scots who live near the border travelling to towns like Carlisle for takeaways.

"My straightforward request to these individuals is please don't," Ms Freeman said.

"There is no reason to travel in or out of Scotland at this point unless you have an essential purpose.

"Much as I am a great lover personally of coffee, that is not an essential purpose. So please don't do that because you are breaking the rules.

"If you think about it, if you think about what's at stake in terms of your own health, the health of your family, the capacity of NHS Borders to cope with those who need it, then I think you'll agree with me that it really is not worth doing this at all.

"Stay at home, leave only for essential purposes. Where you are going for local food or essential purposes including food, try to do that locally if you at all can. Those businesses will welcome your support."

The Scottish Government has already said that it monitors traffic flows on either side of the border, but police have said there are no plans to routinely stop motorists.

The Health Secretary said government support had been provided for firms who were unable to operate because of the restrictions which have been put in place.

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She said: "I know that my colleague, the Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and our Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop, constantly are looking at and discussing with businesses and the business sector whether there’s anything more that we can do.”

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