YULE BE SORRY
MSPs and experts warn relaxing lockdown at Christmas could lead to ‘third wave’ of infections
SCOTLAND’S Christmas lockdown rules were yesterday branded a public health risk which could lead to a “third wave” of coronavirus.
The Scottish Government confirmed further details including a cap of eight people from three households.
But MSPs highlighted public health expert fears about the impact of the relaxed plan which Nicola Sturgeon admits has split public opinion.
The First Minister also raised further concerns by confirming the Government has not carried out a risk assessment of the new rules.
She warned the public not to take advantage of the freedom to travel anywhere in the country, saying infection will spread.
Professor Devi Sridhar, an adviser to Sturgeon, had earlier said Scots will “pay” for the UK-wide relaxing of rules.
Andrew Hayward, a member of the UK Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, known as Sage, said easing off at Christmas will “definitely l ead to i ncreased transmission” and a third wave.
At First Minister’s Questions in Holyrood,
Scottish Green Party leader Patrick Harvie raised the public health experts’ views.
He said: “There were difficult judgments to make about relaxing the Covid rules over the holidays especially after public expectations had been built up but, within a day of announcing the rules, the First Minister was appealing to the public not to use them.
“It ’s a confusing message.
“Let’s look at what the public health experts are saying – Professor Andrew Hayward, a member of Sage, has said it’s likely to lead to a third wave of infection with hospitals being overrun and more unnecessary deaths.
“Professor D e v i Sridhar said we’re going to pay for t h e Chri stmas holidays with probably a January national lockdown.
“This morning, at the Covid committee the national clinical director confirmed that no risk assessment has been made of the impact this relaxation will have. This seems hugely irresponsible.”
No more than 8 people excluding kids
The rules, published by the Scottish Government yesterday morning, lift travel restrictions and allow three-household “bubbles” from December 23 to 27. Sturgeon said the Government “agonised”
over the rules and it is clear she has reservations.
She said: “We know that some people will come to the view that the right thing for them at Christmas is spending time indoors with friends and loved ones, who might otherwise be isolated and alone, so we want to make sure there is clear guidance about boundaries in place. But we also know the virus will not take a break over Christmas and having indoor gatherings presents a high risk of transmission.
“Having people from different generations in particular can be risky. Younger people often have to go out to work and can l ive in shared accommodation and are more likely to have been exposed to the virus.”
The lack of a risk assessment was confirmed during Wednesday’s daily coronavirus briefing but raised again at Holyrood.
Sturgeon admitted:
“We’ve not modelled this particular arrangement, we’re looking at if and how it is possible to do that.
“There are difficulties in tr ying to model an arrangement particularly where you’re trying to persuade people only to use f l e x i b i l i t i e s whe re necessary. If you want me to talk about risks, I’ll be very open with people that this does carry risks.”
The rules underline the dif ficulty of meeting competing demands from the public, with some wanting looser ties and being willing to break rules regardless.