Travel restriction concerns flagged by Highland branch of business group as region given new Covid-19 rating by First Minister; Tourist season 'effectively over' for some in key Highland trade, says FSB amid calls for support
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A HIGHLAND business group leader has broadly welcomed Nicola Sturgeon's latest Covid-19 tiered system of restrictions – but warned that for many tourist operators, it will effectively mark the end of the 2020 season.
The First Minister placed the Highlands in Tier 1 of the new regime , which kicks in on Monday.
The Scottish Government is attempting to ensure a proportionate response to different situations across the country and has recognised the lower infection rate in the Highlands.
The move gives residents and businesses considerably more freedoms than some of their central belt counterparts where infection rates remain a grave cause for concern.
But people are being urged to heed advice not travel between areas with the highest and lowest restrictions.
Nicola Sturgeon asked people to make only essential journeys between level three and level one and two areas.
She warned the whole of the country could return to a situation close to a full lockdown if people do not follow the travel rules.
Reacting to the latest changes, Federation of Small Businesses Highland development officer David Richardson said: “While the Scottish Government’s response to the latest developments looks broadly proportionate, and the placing of the Highlands & Islands and Moray in Level 1 is very welcome, this is only part of the picture.
"Tourism supports, directly or indirectly, more of our businesses and communities than any other industry, and consumers from what has perhaps been our single biggest market this year, the Central Belt, have now been told not to travel here. For many this will mark the end of the 2020 season.
“We cannot afford to let large numbers of Ross-shire businesses go under, so FSB Scotland is asking the Scottish Government to explore alternatives to travel restrictions at the earliest opportunity, and to provide real help for businesses hit by today’s announcement. Above all, we need sufficient financial support to keep the many key groups, like those in tourism not covered by the hospitality hardship fund, and businesses without premises, alive, and we need to see razor-sharp communications from government at all levels to keep everyone on-side and avoid confusion.”
Related: Highlands in new Tier 1 level of coronavirus restrictions
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