Scot left in quarantine

A TOP economist has warned coronavirus could hit the Scots economy by £800million and threaten public services.

Tony Mackay’s analysis is based on the growth rate falling by 30 per cent – the level predicted in China.

The focus has so far been on the health impact of Covid-19, with the Scottish Government estimating up to 80 per cent of the population could become infected. Nicola Sturgeon also said four per cent of this figure could be hospitalised.

Experts fear the spread of coronavirus will also have a negative impact on the UK economy, with the cancellation of large events and the imposition of home working bringing the economy to a standstill.

Mackay said: “My estimates show a fall of up to £800million in economic output in 2020. That will inevitably have a negative impact on the Government’s revenue so I expect it will have to borrow more to fund the increased demand for services.”

A SCOTS offshore worker is in quarantine in China after flying out to start a new job.

Although Ross Buchan, 33, is in Sanya – more than 1000 miles away from Covid-19 epicentre, Wuhan – he has been in quarantine for almost two weeks.

He and several other foreign workers heading to a gas platform off China are in the Sanya Phoenix Island Boutique Hotel.

Dad-of-two Ross, from Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire said: “If someone sees you outside your room it is like you have a gun. They run away. They expect all Europeans to have something.”