Island residents welcome lateral flow tests for tourists

Nicola Sturgeon has urged anyone travelling to the islands to take two tests.

Stornoway residents have backed plans for visitors to be tested for Covid before their arrival on the island.

With lateral flow tests being made available to anyone in Scotland – people travelling to the islands are being encouraged to take two tests before they do so – although they won’t be mandatory.

At her coronavirus briefing on Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon announced that lateral flow tests will be made available to anyone from next Monday.

And the First Minister urged people to consider using these before travelling to Scotland’s island communities – where coronavirus numbers tend to be lower.

With many islands having “very, very low rates of Covid”, Sturgeon said anyone travelling to one was being encouraged to take two tests – one three days before travelling and one on the day of departure.

She said: “This is potentially an important way we can minimise the risk of bringing Covid into island communities, while nevertheless allowing our island communities the benefit of opening up again to visitors.”

STV News asked residents what they thought of the advice.