Scotland removes non-essential travel ban to and from Blackburn
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon initially imposed it because of rising coronavirus infection rates
Last updated 7th Jul 2021
The Scottish Government is removing its last remaining ban on non-essential travel to the North West of England.
From Thursday, the restrictions on the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council area will be lifted.
Last week, the travel restrictions on Manchester, Salford and Bolton were removed.
The introduction of those rules led to a political row between Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
On Wednesday, Scotland's public health minister Maree Todd said: "We have been carefully monitoring the situation in Scotland and across the common travel area and following a weekly review, we will ease travel arrangements between Scotland and Blackburn.
"Nobody wants travel restrictions in place for any longer than is absolutely necessary.
"Restrictions on non-essential travel between Scotland and parts of north west England were introduced in line with evidence, and have been removed as the situation has changed."