Scottish Tourism Alliance statement on speculation around quarantine for visitors from within the UK
Marc Crothall, Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance said:
With just over two weeks to go until our tourism sector reopens, it is absolutely critical that our employees, visitors and communities feel safe, reassured and protected in the run up to the 15th July and most certainly beyond that.
A great deal is at stake and indeed the reputation of and sustainability of our tourism industry; we must not lose sight of where we have all been over the last few months or disregard the very real fear that the virus continues to represent both from a health and economic perspective.
Government decisions around quarantine must be considered from both of these perspectives and it has clearly never been more important than for the governments of the four nations of the UK to be working closely together over the coming days and weeks to ensure that their strategies for supressing the virus are consistent and can offer the public the confidence they need.
As was reconfirmed today by the Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, the Scottish government has no intention as it stands to impose such a quarantine restriction on those visiting from England, let’s hope that the virus does not spread in such a way that it requires the Scottish Government to reconsider this status.
People will want to travel and holiday around the UK and all over Scotland from all four nations and indeed further afield. Our industry is busy getting geared up for safe reopening with most businesses that I have spoken to going above and beyond what is required to provide visitors and customers with an experience they can feel confident and safe about – many businesses are adopting the UK wide Covid-19 ‘Good to Go’ accreditation. The industry fully appreciates that people will be hesitant, and we must proceed with caution to ensure that our communities do not feel under threat and are comfortable in welcoming visitors in the spirit that we are so well known for.
Clearly given that over 70% of Scottish tourism comes from the UK market, any restrictions on domestic travel will have a significantly negative impact on the sector, in fact, I know of a few businesses who have received enquiries from people south of the border who have become concerned about a potential quarantine and have asked for reassurance of a full refund should a quarantine come into force.
