Nicola Sturgeon says she will be 'reviewing travel restrictions'
Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government will consider a further tightening of travel rules to limit all movement to essential only. The review follows the news that Celtic FC players may need to isolate after one team member tested positive after a Dubai training trip earlier this month. The changes Ms Sturgeon will be considering include the removal of travel exemptions for elite sport.
Speaking at her daily coronavirus update on Monday, Ms Sturgeon said: “I know what I’m about to say won’t please everyone – nothing I can say about football will ever please everyone.
“As I have said before, I do have doubts based on how the club itself described it about whether Celtic’s trip to Dubai was really essential.
“And I do have doubts based on some pictures I have seen whether adherence to bubble rules was strict enough.
“Celtic now have a positive case and another 15 playing and coaching staff being required to isolate.”
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She continued: “As in other situations like this, it’s for the football authorities to decide whether further action is necessary and it’s for them to consider that carefully.
“But this whole episode should underline how serious this situation we are in now and how everyone, including football, should be erring on the side of caution.
“I know fans of other clubs feel very strongly that the whole of football should not pay the price for any one club whoever they may be, and I agree with that.
“However, the situation does make it essential for us to review the rules around travel exemptions and that is what we will be doing.”
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Under current rules, anyone entering Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area of the UK that is not part of specific travel corridors must isolate for 10 days.
Scots returning from Dubai or visitors from the country will also be required to quarantine from Monday, and the rule will apply retroactively to anyone who entered the nation since January 3.
Celtic players returned to Scotland to play Hibernian on Monday evening but they are yet to find out whether the Government will let the match go ahead or force them to isolate because of a teammate testing positive to COVID-19.
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