THE leader of the Scottish Greens has asked the First Minister to intervene after it emerged asylum seekers in Glasgow were being moved from their flats to hotels, where they claim social distancing is being made impossible.

Patrick Havie MSP said he was “deeply concerned” by reports that asylum seekers were given just hours notice before being moved from flats – including in some cases where they lived alone – to hotels, despite Covid-19 restrictions.

Once there, support of £35 was stopped, with meals served three times a day in a communal dining room, reached by multiple doors, which must be pulled open. Asylum seekers housed there, who allegedly include those with underlying health conditions and trafficking survivors, who are said to be terrified of contracting the virus.

Housing provider Mears Group insists all movement is being undertaken in accordance with health authority guidance on social distancing.

It is understood over 500 asylum seekers are now housed in Glasgow hotels, including some who have bussed to the city from other parts of the UK.

Charities are concerned that the move makes this group more vulnerable to the virus. Last week the UK Government launched an investigation into why ethnic minorities are “disturbingly” and disproportionately affected by Covid-19. Fifty BAME front-line health staff have now died of coronavirus.

Harvie told the Sunday National: “I have raised this issue personally with the First Minister, and also followed that conversation up with an email, asking her to contact the Home Secretary and the CEO of Mears to urge them to immediately change their practice on this issue and to take both the welfare of asylum seekers and the public health implications seriously.”

In his email to Nicola Sturgeon he claimed there were “many deeply concerning aspects of this situation”.

“I do believe that the Scottish Government has been sincere in its long-term desire for a more humane asylum system,” he told the Sunday National. “While I know how difficult it is to persuade the UK Government to share that concern I would hope that the First Minister’s personal intervention might make a difference.

“There are people being caught up in this who have serious medical needs as well as mental health issues which are being made worse by their current treatment. Even those who don’t have those additional challenges must be feeling bewildered and distressed.”

“There is also a concern about compliance with the Covid regulations – if Mears are operating their business in a way which make it impossible for people to practice social distancing, they may well have legal questions to answer.” Mears insists it is following all public health guidance.

On Friday Glasgow’s six SNP MPs wrote to the Home Office, claiming public health must come first and calling for an urgent change of tack.

Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, said: “People appear to be being moved from flats to hotel accommodation without reason given, putting people at risk.

“We are also concerned about those left with very little to live on and those who are destitute.”

HANNAH Hughes of the Unity Centre, which supports asylum seekers in the city, said: “People are feeling incredibly scared and confused. There has been little or no communication about what is going on and people don’t know what their rights are.”

Mears Group claims it has been forced to move people out of short-term let accommodation it has been using for new applicants but was unable to find other accommodation due to Covid-19 restrictions on the property market.

A spokesman added: “Therefore we had no alternative but to procure hotel space where we can safely and appropriately house and support each person with food and health services without restriction on time of residence. Mears are working hard to ensure we meet all obligations at this very difficult time.

Earlier in the week a Home Office spokesperson insisted asylum seekers were only moved where necessary, “strictly following guidance from public health authorities.