IT’S LAST DRINKS AT THE BAR
»» Leaked document reveals plan for new lockdown rules »» Restaurants and pubs are expected to be closed »» Sturgeon says situation is urgent and she must act
PUBS and restaurants could be shut in a fresh bid to get a grip on rising rates of Covid-19 infections, says a leaked Scottish Government paper.
And Nicola Sturgeon yesterday said more curbs could be put in place, adding: “The urgency of this situation means we cannot, must not, and will not, wait too long.”
A LEAKED Scottish Government paper has revealed pub and restaurant closures are being considered to tackle rising Covid-19 levels.
The paper claimed a temporary “circuit break”k lockdown could include shuttingng hospitality venues and travel restrictions.
It came yesterday as it emerged the UK’s Covid alert level will be raised from 3 to 4 and Nicola Sturgeon said additional curbs would “almost certainly” be put in place in the next “couple of days”.
She also spoke to Boris Johnson and will take part in a UK-wide Cobra meeting todayy before finalising her plan.
She said at her daily briefing:g: “The urgency of this situationn means we cannot, must not, andnd will not, wait too long.”
A statement is expected to be made at Holyrood today.
An anonymous Twitterer account posted a screengrab of a leaked Government paperer which laid out 16 options for a short-term, partial lockdown.
The document stated that a “circuit break” could either be for two weeks, or on a “rolling” basis.
Options include colleges and universities being restricted to remote learning, as well as the closure of schools for half term.
Shutting hospitality venues was included in the paper, withh the exception of “essentiall residential”. This exemption inn the document is believed to bee a reference to hotels.
A source said schools weree already going to be closed at halff term and downplayed this option.n.
Some of the 16 options aree understood to be no longer onn the table, as the documentt reflected last week’s thinking.
The leaked document alsoo stated: “General message to stayy at home as much as possible.”
Travel restrictions, as well ass the closure of entertainmentt venues and visitor attractions,, were flagged as options. Noo
indoor physical activity for groups, unregulated children’s activities, contact sports, indoor live events or spectators in stadia were also listed.
The document said a “circuit break” could include a message to avoid public transport “where ppossible”. Restrictions on care home and hospital visiting were mentioned.
Earlier in t he day, Health Secretar y Jeane Freeman said a national ban oonn ppee opop l e meeting in each other’s houses is being considered.
Asked about the l eaked document, Sturgeon said: “I’m not going to comment on leaked documents, whether they are genuine or not. Any responsible Government right now would be looking at a whole range of different options.” Sturgeon said the number of Covid cases had risen by 255 in the ppast 24 hours. Of the new cases – which whic take the total to 24,672 – 103 10 are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde ,47 in La nark Lanarkshire shire and 30 in Lothian. Lothian There are 73 people peopl in hospital confirmed confirme to have the virus, up 10 1 in 24 hours. Of thesthese patients, eight are in i intensive care. Sturgeon said the th Government endorsed endorse the warning of UK chief chie scientific adviser Sir Si Patrick VallancVallance that new case cases could rise daily by 50,000 by October, adadding: “Further and urgent action will now be needed to stop the increase in cases.
“If we move sharply now to get the virus back under control, we can minimise the time we all spend under any new restrictions.
“If we wait, it will take longer, potentially a lot longer, to come out of the other side.”
Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “Every effort must be made to ensure our testing and tracing system is working effectively and people have the right financial and practical support to allow them to isolate when necessary.
“Lockdown restrictions are not harm-free and the Scottish Government must demonstrate that lessons have been learned over recent months.”
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: “People have made huge sacrifices to stop the virus and are now facing the prospect of tough measures once again.”