What do Scotland’s leading scientists make of the rules?

IAM looking forward to spending some time with my uncle this Christmas. He is in his seventies and lives alone in the Borders – my family are his only relatives in Scotland. So one day over the festive break I will drive down to see him and we will enjoy a walk together and perhaps a coffee in a local café. I’m not planning to visit his home, but that day out will give us a chance to catch up for the first time in months.

That’s the important thing about easing of restrictions over Christmas. The chance to form a bubble with much-loved family or friends will boost the mental health of many Scots after the long months of lockdown and isolation many of us have endured.

At several stages, the Scottish Government has been more cautious in easing restrictions than has been the case at UK level. We are seeing this again as for Scotland’s Christmas bubbles, a maximum of eight people from three households is advised whereas the Prime Minister has said three households can mix in England, with no maximum number of people.

These numbers are not very scientific, but they provide everyone with a guide of what is sensible – to keep the number of people you are mixing with at a modest level.

Remember, you do not have to mix with anyone if you don’t want to, but for many people the temporary lifting of restrictions will provide a much-needed lift, and could be a mental health lifeline for others.

Levels of depression and anxiety have been high throughout this pandemic and could get worse over the winter.

Of course, this carries risks. I expect a spike in Covid-19 numbers after Christmas, as a result of household mixing.

The best way to reduce the risk of catching and spreading the virus if you mix with loved ones this Christmas is to follow the guidance of handwashing, keeping apart from others as much as possible, avoiding hugs, sharing cutlery and plates and keep opening doors and windows.

Meeting up outside is the best option, and that is what my uncle and I are doing. Let’s hope the weather is kind to us. People should decide for themselves whether it is a good idea to meet up with others. Infection levels are still high.

Meeting indoors offers an opportunity for the virus to spread and people should be concerned for older relatives who are the most vulnerable to this disease.

I think that if no guidance had been issued, it was likely that some people would have done their own thing anyway. So having guidance now is helpful.

Of course there are significant harms from this virus. The risk of illness and death. The risk of infecting others.

But there are other harms caused by lockdown measures. The lifting of restrictions is a way of trying to address the problem of loneliness and isolation that has blighted the lives of so many this year.

Whatever you decide to do, I do hope that all of you manage to have a happy – and safe – Christmas.