PM rejects First Ministers’ plea for tougher travel restrictions
The First Ministers of Scotland and Wales urged Boris Johnson to beef up travel restrictions.
Nicola Sturgeon, and Mark Drakeford wanted increased quarantine times and more testing for new arrivals in the wake of growing infections of Omicron across the UK.
All inbound travellers should quarantine for eight days and take a Day 8 PCR test in addition to the Day 2 test, Sturgeon said.
"The emergence of Omicron poses a potential threat to the UK. It is clear that the strain is already here and that it appears highly transmissible," Sturgeon and Drakeford wrote in a letter to the Prime Minister.
"We need to work collectively – and effectively. We are clear that a four nations approach to issues such as border restrictions is the most effective approach. This requires that a meeting of the Cobra committee be held as soon as possible."
However the PM’s office rejected it, citing a ‘detrimental effect on the travel industry.’
Scotland has recorded nine Omicron cases so far, with Sturgeon saying community transmission is already happening as some have not travelled overseas.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season