The Scottish First Minister imposed travel restrictions on anyone heading to Manchester and Salford on June 21. The decision sparked outrage from Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who accused Ms Sturgeon of treating the region with "contempt".

       He announced he was planning to write to the Scottish Government to demand "compensation for the individuals who might lose holidays and the businesses who might lose bookings".

       "I just think it’s double standards, it’s hypocrisy," he said.

       “That is exactly what the SNP always accuse the Westminster government of doing, riding roughshod over people.

       "The SNP are treating the north of England with the same contempt in bringing that in without any consultation with us."

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       He added: "Why should a couple from Salford who are double-jabbed who are about to go on a walking holiday in Scotland not be able to go?

       "It’s completely disproportionate in my view."

       Just seven days after the ban was introduced and the SNP leader has U-turned and lifted travel restrictions.

       From midnight Scots will once again be allowed to travel to Greater Manchester, and will also be allowed to travel to Bolton after restrictions were placed on the town on May 24.

       Restrictions on travel to Blackburn and Darwen remain in place, with Scottish Government officials blaming the high number of Delta cases.

       Last week when implementing the Manchester ban, Ms Sturgeon said she wanted to "minimise the risk of either exacerbating the situation there or indeed allowing more virus to come back here to Scotland".

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       Her comments came despite some parts of Scotland having far higher Covid rates than the northern city.

       Parts of east-central Scotland have overtaken north-west England to become the UK's main COVID-19 hotspot.

       East Lothian is now the local area with the highest rate of new cases in the UK, with 595.8 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to June 24.

       Second place is Dundee, on 587.3 cases per 100,000.

       In contrast, there are 434.3 cases per 100,000 in Manchester, and 416 cases per 100,000 in Salford.

       Upon lifting the restrictions today, Scotland's Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: "Nobody wants travel restrictions in place for any longer than is absolutely necessary.

       "Placing restrictions on travel between Scotland and parts of north-west England was only taken after extremely careful consideration and analysis of data to help prevent the spread of variants of concern.

       "Following a careful review of the data we have decided to ease travel arrangements between Scotland and Manchester, Salford and Bolton.

       "However the situation regarding Blackburn and Darwen will need to be closely monitored and will be reviewed again in a week’s time."