People not allowed to stay away from local area overnight if travelling to meet family or friends

THE SCOTTISH Government has clarified that you must not stay away from your local council area overnight if taking advantage of eased Covid restrictions coming into force from Friday, which allow people to travel across Scotland to visit family or friends outdoors.

Given the nature of Shetland’s travel links, this appears to throw into question whether islanders, or folk living south looking to travel to see family and friends in the isles, will be able to benefit from the new rules.

However, it will only be a week and half to wait until transport links to Shetland are fully reopened for all on 26 April.

At this point mainland Scotland is due to move into level three, meaning tourist accommodation there should be reopening again.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “From 16 April there will be no restrictions on people travelling within Scotland to meet family and friends outdoors in groups of up to six people from six households socially, for recreation and for exercise.

“Under 12s do not count towards the number of people meeting or households.

“Overnight stays away from a person’s local area are not permitted for that purpose.

“People should continue to Stay Local for other purposes such as non-essential shopping, and public transport capacity will continue to be limited in Level 4 areas.

“We plan to open travel fully between the mainland and islands from 26 April.”