END IN TIERS
As Covid-19 infection rates soar across South Lanarkshire, Hamilton braces itself for tighter restrictions. But business bosses warn of a ghost town and say it will...
Lanarkshire is today (Thursday) on the brink of being the only region in Scotland to enter the country’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions.
Plans for a new five-tier framework have been agreed at Holyrood in a bid to slow the spread of the deadly bug.
However, the county’s business bosses have warned that these tough new measures could see firms in towns like Hamilton close within a matter of weeks.
Alan Kirkwood, vice-chairman of the Lanarkshire Business Group, told the Advertiser: “Places I’ve spoken to only have enough to go two weeks. It’s that kind of cycle we’re looking at.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that North and South Lanarkshire could enter Level 4 on Monday after Hamilton was identified as a hotspot area.
New Covid- 19 cases in Lanarkshire have risen weekly through throughout September and October.
NHS Lanarkshire have reported that hospitals are at 90 per cent capacity and they are now treating more patients with Covid-19 than during the first peak of the pandemic.
Schools throughout Lanarkshire also continue to report cases of Covid-19.
Lanarkshire residents will find out today (Thursday) if additional coronavirus restrictions will come into effect next week.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed plans for a new five- tier system of restrictions to MSPS at Holyrood on Tuesday (October 26).
North and South Lanarkshire are the only areas in Scotland that the Scottish Government is currently considering moving to level four of the new framework.
Current restrictions in the region are akin to level three of the new restrictions.
But business bosses have warned that tightening up the rules could lead to ghost towns in Lanarkshire.
New Covid- 19 cases in Lanarkshire have risen weekly throughout September and October to a peak of 2719 last week (October 19-25).
Of the current crisis in Lanarkshire, the First Minister said: “As has been reported ,we are considering whether the very high rate of transmissions and hospital admissions in North and South Lanarkshire may necessitate a move for them to level four.
“These are the only areas currently being considered for level four. There have however, been some encouraging signs that the situation in Lanarkshire may have stabilised so we will only take that decision if it is absolutely necessary and I hope that we can avoid it.”
The increase of new cases has begun to slow but the level of new infections in Lanarkshire is still causing concern.
Ms Sturgeon added: “The number of new cases is growing more slowly than at the start of the month, and we have not seen the nine-day doubling of cases that was predicted earlier this month.
“We hope that the effect of the restrictions on hospitality, which have been in force now for over two weeks, will soon start to be seen as well.
“Our hope is that the rate of increase in new cases will slow even further and we may then see a decline in the number of new cases.
“It is important to bear that in mind as I run through some of the detail of the new levels because it is by reducing our interactions with people – in other households, and in environments with higher risks of transmission – that we will continue to make progress.”
All non-essential shops could be forced to close and residents could face travel restrictions if the region is placed in tier four – the highest tier of restrictions.
Hair and beauty businesses would be told to close and residents should avoid public transport unless in exceptional circumstances.
The rest of the Central belt is “likely” to be in level three, with most of the rest of Scotland likely to start in level two.
However, Dundee City is likely to be escalated to level three while the Highlands, the Western Isles, Moray, Orkney and Shetland might go down to level one.