All but essential cross-border travel between Scotland and England to become ILLEGAL
The Scottish Government restrictions will come into force on Friday
Last updated 17th Nov 2020
All but essential cross-border travel between Scotland and England is set to become illegal.
The Scottish Government's confirmed a tightening of its Covid restrictions will come into force from 6pm on Friday, in an effort to stop the spread of the virus.
Addressing MSPs in Holyrood, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "It is essential that we all abide by travel restrictions. To underline how important this is, I can confirm the guidance that has been in place in recent weeks will become law from Friday.
"That means people living in Level 3 or Level 4 must not travel outside their own council area, except for certain essential purposes. And people living elsewhere in Scotland mustn't travel to Level 3 or Level 4 areas except for essential purposes.
"And there must be no unessential travel between Scotland and other parts of the UK."
People in England remain in lockdown at least until December the 2nd.
The council areas in Scotland moving to Level 4 from Friday are the City of Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian.
Stuart Bell is leader of Scottish Borders Council's SNP group of councillors and says it's the right decision.
He told us: "Much as Borderers would like to see us in a less restrictive tier for Covid-19 protection, we have to keep all of us as safe as possible; so I feel it's right for us to remain in Level Two.
"In three of the last four weeks, there's been a significant rise in coronavirus cases per 100,000 population. It was 36 in the week ending 24th of October, 55 a week after that and 65 in the third week.
"It's good news that last week these case numbers stablised at 62 per 100,000 (people) - but I think we need more good news before it's really safe to move to a less restrictive Covid-19 tier. We have to keep all of us as safe as possible."
READ MORE: 'Nobody should be going up to Edinburgh to do any shopping' - Borders council leader warns
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