Open ferry travel for non residents

The Calmac ferry company have prioritised ferry travel for residents on Scottish islands only. Up until now, travel has been restricted to residents who can show proof of address, or key workers/ essential suppliers only. While initially, this made sense and was the correct course of action, those of us with holidays rental businesses have been excluded, along with second home owners.

Would the government consider relaxing these rules to allow those with a business on the island ( as opposed to second home owners) to visit to undertake essential repairs and checks, as required by insurance companies? Initially I have asked and paid a neighbour to go round fortnightly to keep and eye on my flats, and also paid to get some repairs done, however with no income ( the business is my main source of income) and no prospect of lockdown being lifted, I have had to pay money that I don't really have, in order to do some jobs which we would normally do ourselves.
Proof of it being a business ,rather than a second home, would be easily shown to ferry staff- a Public Liability insurance, or rates bill?

Why the contribution is important

allow essential checks and work on unoccupied property which could, in the longer term ,be subject to vandalism or poor state of repair.

by JennyBee on May 09, 2020 at 11:18AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 2.3
Based on: 15 votes

Comments

  • Posted by LesFraser53 May 09, 2020 at 11:43

    Too risky

  • Posted by MargaretAnne May 09, 2020 at 11:59

    As a permanent island resident we look forward to welcoming visitors when to do so. We also have a self catering property and have no income from that this year. However there has been financial provision made which will cover our loss for this year. I do not think that it is reasonable for people to unnecessarily visit our fragile islands to check on property as a business when if they are a business could use the grant funding for regular checking

  • Posted by Robert1000 May 09, 2020 at 12:12

    Great idea. Ferries and islands have the largest natural social distancing. This isn't about tourists but a safe return to a more normal existence and trying to protect smaller economies from being decimated over the summer.
    Its too easy to just keep saying that every idea is too risky.

  • Posted by EMath May 09, 2020 at 15:13

    Far to risky, as an islander living in a city I’d fear for the safety of my family if this happened. Many islands had ageing populations and the virus taking hold would the a disaster. I’m not going to be visiting until I’m not going to spread it to a vulnerable community.

  • Posted by JennyBee May 09, 2020 at 17:36

    Margaret Ann, not everyone is able to qualify for the grant. The number of require night's let out (140) disqualified a large swathe of people, I'm afraid. It wasn't just handed out.
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