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The Scottish government has warned people not to visit areas of England affected by new local lockdown rules.
It said travel between Scotland and Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire should only be undertaken if “absolutely essential”.
Anyone currently in the affected areas does not need to return to Scotland early.
But they should be “extra vigilant” in monitoring for symptoms – even after they return home.
The advice was issued after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon chaired a meeting of the Scottish government’s resilience committee.
Manchester is one the areas affected by the new measures to control Covid-19
The UK government imposed new local restrictions, which include banning separate households from meeting each other at home, after a spike in Covid-19 cases.
Westminster Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the increase in transmission was due to people visiting friends and relatives.
Information sharing
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had given an update to the devolved government’s of the UK on the reasons for the decision.
Ms Sturgeon said all four nations “agreed on the importance” of information sharing.
“We have always been clear that localised flare ups are likely as we continue to supress the virus but by responding quickly and appropriately we can limit the effect these have on wider transmission,” she said.
“I strongly advise anyone planning to travel to areas affected in the north of England, or anyone planning to travel to Scotland from those same areas, to cancel their plans.”
She added that those whose travel was essential “should follow public health advice at all times”.
The areas affected by the local restrictions are:
- Greater Manchester: City of Manchester, Trafford, Stockport, Oldham, Bury, Wigan, Bolton, Tameside, Rochdale, Salford
- Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale
- West Yorkshire: Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees
Mr Hancock told BBC Breakfast the UK government had taken “targeted” action based on information gathered from contact tracing, which he said showed that “most of the transmission is happening between households visiting each other, and people visiting relatives and friends”.
The new lockdown rules, which came into force at midnight, mean people from different households will not be allowed to meet in homes or private gardens.
They also ban members of two different households from mixing in pubs and restaurants, although individual households will still be able to visit such hospitality venues.
The changes come as Muslim communities prepare to celebrate Eid this weekend, and nearly four weeks after restrictions were eased across England – allowing people to meet indoors for the first time since late March.
The same restrictions will apply in Leicester, where a local lockdown has been in place for the last month.
However, pubs, restaurants and other facilities will be allowed to reopen in the city from Monday, as some of the stricter measures are lifted.