Question reference: S5W-33196
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 12 November 2020 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 November 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of (a) passengers and (b) ferry staff who travelled from local authorities outside Argyll and Bute to use CalMac ferry services since 29 October 2020 (i) from Oban and (ii) between Oban and Castlebay, and how many in each category travelled from local authority areas that are subject to level (A) 1, (B) 2 and (C) 3 COVID-19 restrictions in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government has not undertaken an assessment on this level of information and does not expect CalMac to ask where customers are travelling to and from. This is similar to in line with other travel operators. It is for individual travellers to ensure they are complying with the restrictions in movements between tiers when travelling to or from our islands.
CalMac port staff and vessel crew are classified as essential workers and therefore it is permissible for them to travel between Local Authority areas that may be subject to tier level 3 or level 4 Covid-19 restrictions.