Stirling’s SNP MP has demanded that the UK Government act now to bring stranded UK nationals home amid the global pandemic of the Covid-19 Coronavirus.

A rising number of constituents have contacted Mr Smith in recent weeks with many holidaymakers, people travelling for work and those visiting friends and family abroad finding that their flights home have been cancelled.

Many of those stranded are experiencing uncertain circumstances, including the threat of their hotel closing and being unable to find alternative accommodation in the country they’re in.

Mr Smith, who is the SNP’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, has written to the Foreign Secretary, demanding that the Foreign Office roll out emergency evacuation flights for people who are in this situation.

Commenting, Alyn Smith said:

“A growing number of people who have been stranded abroad have come to my office for help. Their situation is deteriorating day by day and it’s crucial that the Foreign Office acts now to get them back to the UK.

“There are a number of ways to achieve this, including by working with commercial airliners to charter evacuation flights for stranded UK nationals.

“The stories that have been brought to me – either by the people themselves or by their concerned families at home – are highly distressing. Picture going on holiday, the country you’re in locking down due to a pandemic, you can’t get a commercial flight home because they’ve all stopped, and you’re not sure how long your hotel will let you stay for.

“This is the situation facing people from our own local communities who find themselves abroad, and action must be taken by the Foreign Office quickly to bring our people safely home.”

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