Gatherings ban is ‘unsurprising’ after party complaints
To u g h e r coron av i r u s restrictions in East Renfrewshire are “unsurprising” following a hike in house parties, Kirsten Oswald MP has said.
The politician insisted she was “sorry” to see measures being reintroduced in her constituency that will prevent families in Barrhead and Neilston inviting others to their homes.
But the SNP member said the measures were understandable and necessary after she received a number of complaints about house parties in the area.
Large gatherings have been taking place, despite guidance from the Scottish Government stating people from no more than three households should gather in homes.
The rules also means that no more than eight people from those three households are allowed in one property at a time.
That advice has however, according to public health officials, not been followed and has contributed to the spread of the virus in communities across East Renfrewshire in recent weeks.
Ms Oswald told the Express: “I was sorry to hear of the Scottish Government decision to impose limited restrictions on households in East Renfrewshire and other parts of the west of Scotland.”
But she added: “Having been contacted by a number of constituents about large parties taking place in households over recent weeks, I was not surprised to hear this may be one of the contributory factors in the increased incidence of coronavirus.
“I have been contacted by a number of constituents looking for clarification of what the restrictions will mean for them.
“However, most people have understood the need for the Scottish Government to act if there are signs of the virus returning.”
Nicola Sturgeon announced the household restrictions for East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City and West Dunbartonshire on Tuesday evening.
It came hours after she said the increase in coronavirus cases in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board area was giving her “some cause for concern”.
There had been 66 new cases in the Greater Glasgow area overnight on Monday, which added to the 69 new cases recorded the previous 24 hours.
The First Minister said: “The virus is spreading again - in the West of Scotland especially - and the rise in cases in these three areas is a particular concern.
“Our data suggests that spread in and between households is driving much of the transmission just now.
“Clinical advice is that restricting household gatherings indoors - where it is most difficult to keep physical distance - is vital.
“Coupled with the extended advice on isolation for anyone with potential exposure to the virus, we hope these targeted measures will be sufficient to prevent further spread - if people comply with them.
“However, we will need to keep situation under review.”
She added: “When we face these situations, there are no good options for those of taking decisions.
“Our objective is to stem spread with the least impact on lives and the economy.
“But we must all try to stop the virus spreading in first place - government can’t do that alone.”
The household restrictions have been planned for two weeks, but will be reviewed in the next seven days.