A new rift has opened between Boris Johnson and Nicola Sturgeon over how to handle the pandemic.
Yesterday the Prime Minister declared that all remaining Covid restrictions in England would be scrapped by the end of February.
It was a month earlier than originally planned, and his dramatic announcement at PMQs took people by surprise.
Ministers in Scotland have called on Johnson for more clarity on the impact this could have on their country, claiming failed to give ‘appropriate notice’ on his latest plan.
Meanwhile Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s government extended its Covid laws until September 24.
It means some rules such as face masks and Covid passes could continue in Scotland until autumn, although they will be under regular review.
In contrast England was originally planning to scrap the legal requirement for people who test positive to self-isolate on March 24.
But yesterday the PM, who continues to face calls to resign over the Partygate scandal, said he would end domestic restrictions a ‘full month early’, as long as ‘encouraging trends in the data continue’.
Johnson said he will present his plan for ‘living with Covid’ when Parliament returns from a short recess on February 21, with an aim of lifting the requirement to self-isolate within days of that.
In response, a spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said the UK Government ‘failed to provide devolved nations with appropriate notice to consider implications ahead of the announcement by the Prime Minister’.
She said Scottish ministers are urgently seeking clarity from Westminster to consider any implications its announcement could have for Scotland.
‘Regardless of decisions made by the UK Government, it is vital that Scotland can continue to access funding to support the policy decisions taken in Scotland in response to Covid-19,’ the spokeswoman added.
‘Isolation and mask-wearing have been among the most effective non-pharmaceutical interventions in suppressing Covid’s spread.
‘All public health measures are kept under continuous review, including guidance on self-isolation. Decisions are informed by the latest scientific and clinical advice as well as careful consideration of the four harms.’
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has not said whether he will follow Johnson’s lead and lift all Covid rules early, although a review in Wales is due to take place today.
He has done things differently to England throughout the pandemic and believes his more ‘careful and cautious’ approach has been better received by the public.
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