COVID CONFUSION REIGNS
Post-Xmas plan unclear but we ARE told to shun Boxing Day sales
SCOTTISH families and businesses have been left in the dark about whether they will be plunged into a post-Christmas lockdown.
People in Northern Ireland and Wales have been warned that fresh lockdown measures will be re-imposed following the festive celebrations.
But in Scotland and England a final decision has yet to be made on restrictions after the relaxation of the rules next week.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said a post-Christmas lockdown could not be ‘sensibly ruled out’.
A decision on any post-Christmas restrictions will be made on Tuesday.
Miss Freeman also warned Scots to avoid Boxing Day sales over fears the notoriously busy gatherings could lead to a surge in
Covid-19 cases. However, her comments warning people to stay away from shops raised fears over the impact on already struggling retailers.
From December 23 to 27, the present coronavirus restrictions will be relaxed, with people allowed to travel across the UK and to gather i n Scotland with two other households.
Nicola Sturgeon has already issuing guidance against travel between higher prevalence areas – including Tier Three areas in England.
And she has asked families to delay their celebrations, or limit their meetings to only one day.
However, the Scottish Government has yet to say if Scotland will follow other nations into an immediate post-Christmas lockdown.
Northern Ireland will enter a strict six- week l ockdown on December 26, while Wales will begin a national lockdown on December 28.
Boris Johnson has said he is ‘hoping to avoid’ such a move in England. At the daily coronavirus briefing, Miss Freeman said that ‘all options’ were still on the table over whether or not fresh restrictions will be imposed in Scotland.
She said officials were anxious about a potential surge in coronavirus cases following the relaxation of restrictions next week, after analysis showing the rate of infection in Scotland has risen. Data released on Thursday suggests that the R number is now between 0.9 and 1.1. This was an increase from the previous week’s report, which estimated R to be between 0.7 and 0.9.
Urging Scots to avoid the Boxing Day sales, Miss Freeman said: ‘The Boxing Day sales are notoriously crowded places. Please avoid crowded places. There can be nothing in those sales that is worth that risk, so please don’t take it.’
Scottish Conservative economy spokesman Maurice Golden said: ‘This messaging from the SNP Government and officials will be met with huge disappointment from our retailers who have been devastated by the pandemic.
‘The UK Government has given £10billion worth of support to fight
the Covid pandemic. If we are to protect thousands of jobs in our retail sector, the SNP need to urgently get that money to those whose businesses need it most.’
National clinical director Professor Jason Leitch echoed Miss Freeman in urging people to avoid shops. He said: ‘That may not be popular with retailers, and I’m deeply sorry, but it is risky to go to the crowds. So please try to avoid that, on Boxing Day or tomorrow, avoid it at any time, particularly when you know it’s going to be busy – and if it’s busy, leave.’
Scottish Retail Consortium director David Lonsdale said shopper footfall is down by a third on normal years.
He added: ‘The fact is that without customers, many high street shops will wither away, risking jobs and businesses across the country.’