Transport / Ferry timetable to remain the same despite new restrictions
NORTHLINK will continue to run services to its usual timetable despite travel to and from Shetland reducing to essential purposes only from Boxing Day.
Serco NorthLink managing director Stuart Garrett encouraged anyone who may need to change or cancel their bookings to contact the company directly.
Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles will be placed under level three restrictions for three weeks from 26 December as precautionary measure against a new variant of coronavirus which is said to be more easily spread.
All other areas of Scotland will go to level four.
Garrett reiterated that any travel on the NorthLink ferries once the islands go into level three should be for essential purposes, like work or healthcare.
“Following the revised guidance issued by the Scottish Government on Saturday, and in order to tighten protection against the spread of the new, highly contagious strain of the virus, passengers should only be travelling with NorthLink Ferries at this time if their journey meets the essential requirements as set out for the current Level 3 and forthcoming Level 4 guidelines,” he said.
“Any customer whose travel plans are impacted and need to change or cancel their arrangements should contact us directly.”
At the moment the NorthLink ferry timetable is running as usual, although the capacity on the two ferries serving Shetland have been nearly halved to 335 to allow for physical distancing.
The Hrossey, meanwhile, is due to go into dry dock for maintenance between 30 January and 13 February, while sister ship Hjaltland will do the same between 27 February and 13 March.
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