The Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced the end of the blanket ban on international leisure travel from Scotland in line with England, but has voiced even more caution than the UK Government on the opening up of travel.

Sturgeon said, “Green List status should be the exception, not the rule,” and that “there will have to be good reasons for adding a country to the Green list.”

Responding, BALPA General Secretary Brian Strutton said:

“She thinks there has to be a good reason for adding a country to the Green List. No, there needs to be a good reason to keep a country off it.

“This mindset needs to change. Our vaccination programme is going exceptionally well, and people are desperate to take advantage of their jabs and jet off.

“Countries like the US where vaccination rates are very high should be opened up immediately and other should be opened as soon as possible.

“Amber and Red should only be used when there is a good reason to stop people from travelling – they should absolutely not be the default option.”