COUNCIL leader Joe Cullinane has called on the Scottish Government to ease Covid-19 restrictions on the Isle of Cumbrae.

Councillor Cullinane has had meetings with island groups over anger surrounding the rules given low infection rate on the island.

Pubs in Millport have had to close - as it is part of the Ayrshire and Arran NHS health board authority - even though there have been very few cases locally.

Joe said: "The virus is not on the rise there and the crackdown does seem very harsh on them.

" I’m not saying it should be business as usual for the islands, and of course we must remain vigilant to the risk that a visitor brings the virus, but I hope this blanket policy is something the Scottish Government will reconsider.

"This is an issue that I have already discussed with groups on both Arran and Cumbrae.

"It doesn't feel right that Cumbrae is lumped into the Central Belt measures. The island hasn't had a positive case for months at least as far as I am aware."

Councillor Alex Gallagher, who chairs the islands remit for North Ayrshire, added: "We can't be reckless but it is quite obvious that islands have suffered more than the mainland because of ferry and transportation problems. We will be writing to the Scottish ministers asking for some concessions in that respect.

"It could well be that residents who don't leave the island are given a different classification."

The calls for an easing on restrictions have received a sympathetic hearing as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon suggested she is open to looking into whether a different approach can be adopted for Scotland's islands.

Other islands are testing people on arrival to stop the virus spreading whist protecting the tourism economy.

Asked whether it could happen on the Isle of Cumbrae, Cllr, Gallagher said: "The testing strategy is under control of the Scottish Government."

Economic experts from the Fraser of Allander Institute have warned that due to its reliance on tourism, Millport has been disproportionately impacted by the lockdown restrictions.

Cllr. Gallagher commented: "I have asked council officers to carry out a study on Millport and the Isle of Cumbrae to see how hard they are being hit. We want to make sure first and foremost that we keep the island safe while taking into consideration its unique position."