[0762]

I listened to the full explanation today from the FM and the Health Secretary under scrutiny from a couple of press/media reps and they explained the circumstances and reasons for delay fairly well. IMO most of the daily statements re COVID-19 have been generally honest and transparent TBF and I just don't "buy" such an argument that the Scot govt is dishonest and non-transparent. Why on earth would they practise in such a manner anyway??? Totally illogical!! Also they didn't specifically do nothing under the circumstances! The normal process, ensuring passengers were aware of the Scot govt's requirements, was still applied anyway on entry into the UK and close contact with the Border Patrol was maintained to check for compliance. I personally think they should've copied Wales' Mark Drakeford's ploy to effectively ignore the Home Office red tape/the delayed formal process and just apply the restriction anyway but, hey ho, each govt can call it differently and indeed mistakes (or delays for whatever reason!) can occur now n again - that's the "nature of the beast" in which "lessons will be learnt" on this journey into the unknown. Lastly, consider the formal written process to the Home Office anyway - one presents the written requirement for the process to be security compliant and assuming it will be a fairly quick turnaround. Then additional measures have to be applied to satisfy Home Office requirements - more delay time, more exchange of letters! I've seen it, done it in slightly different circumstances and, by gum, "patience is a virtue" (esp if one is dependent on another party being similarly priority responsive, which may not be the case!) in trying to progress to conclusion as quickly as poss and, during the process, do I wanna tell all and sundry that I've temporarily "hit a brick wall"!!!? A case of check the confidential govt file (or other govt guidance or advice) on how to practise during a pandemic and "get on with it" as effectively as poss.