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Sturgeon says decision to lock down 2m Scots will be worth it
NICOLA Sturgeon believes plunging two million Scots into the top level of lockdown today is a “difficult” decision that is justified if it brings Covid-19 under control. There are new legal restrictions on travel and from 6pm non-essential shops in Glasgow and 10 neighbouring councils from South Ayrshire to West Lothian will have to close. The Level 4 measures – the highest in Scotland’s Covid alert system – attracted a major backlash from businesses who now fear disaster in the normally busy festive season. It has left fed-up residents staring at three long weeks of waiting to see if the latest crackdown can make a difference by the time it ends on Friday, December 11. It was confirmed yesterday that 50 people died in Scotland in the previous 24 hours after testing positive for Covid-19 and 1089 new cases were confirmed. Sturgeon said the rate of infection nationwide showed signs of improvement but there are big regional variations and a lot of progress has still to be made. Speaking at Ho l y r o o d , the First Mini s t e r said the R number – C o v i d ’s rate of infection – is now “very slightly below one”. Anything over one would suggest the infection is spreading too quickly.
She added: “In those parts of the country with the highest prevalence we’ve not yet seen as significant or as rapid a fall in cases as we need to.
“That is why we have taken the decision to move 11 local authority areas into Level 4.”
Under the strict rules , non-essential shops are forced to close, along with bars, restaurants and gyms.
People in Level 4 areas are not allowed to travel to other council areas without an essential reason, such as caring for someone or to visit the nearest supermarket.
The 11 areas in Level 4 from today are Glasgow city, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian.
Sturgeon stressed it was a “difficult decision” adding: “In the situation we face, in common with much of the rest of the world, the job of government must be to do what is necessary to save lives and protect health, even when we know these decisions will not be welcome.”
The First Minister said the tough approach is “necessary to reduce the loss of life and serious illness”.
The move, she said, will help protect the NHS over the winter and “allow people, albeit in a limited and careful way, the prospect of being able to spend some time with loved ones over the Christmas period”.
Sturgeon urged people to stick to the rules “as part of our collective efforts to get through the rest of this pandemic with as little harm to health and loss of life as possible”.
She said a decision will be announced next week on whether rules can be relaxed for Christmas.
Talks between all four nations of the UK have been held to hammer out a plan that suits everyone.
Sturgeon said: “We discussed the Christmas period and how we can come to a sensible, safe plan that will allow people not 100 per cent normality but a greater degree of it and in particular the ability to spend some time with loved ones.”
A “concrete proposal” is now being put together, Sturgeon said.
She added: “I hope we can share that with the public over the course of next week. We are all determined, if possible, to come to a four nations agreement, given family patterns across the UK.”
Tory MSP Ruth Davidson had demanded a “loneliness plan”.
She told Sturgeon: “I’m pleased at reports of a four nations decision but Christmas is just five weeks away.”