Surreal times but stay positive, urges group
‘We still have essential businesses open including butchers, supermarkets, chemists, petrol stations and small shops across Argyll and Bute.’
Essential businesses remain open in Oban despite the ‘surreal’ lockdown, the town’s Business Improvement District group said this week.
Andrew Spence, chief executive of BID4Oban, said: ‘It goes without saying that the safety of our local population is of the utmost importance.
‘We still have essential businesses open including butchers, supermarkets, chemists, petrol stations and small shops across Argyll and Bute.
‘We would urge everyone visiting these facilities to show respect and consideration for the staff and comply with social distancing.’
Mr Spence said the surreal situation was very different to three weeks ago when the group was actively planning events to take place this summer.
He added: ‘I know at this stage it is easy to type stay positive, but we need to look out for each other and get through this.
‘Looking to the future, we will come out of this and when we do we need to work hard to bring everyone back together, plan to bring our visitors back and promote everything that is great about Oban and Argyll.’
In a live television address last night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson appealed for all shops selling ‘non-essential goods’ to close, and there was similar advice on Tuesday from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Mr Johnson said playgrounds and places of worship are also being shut and police given powers to fine people or disperse any gatherings, with people advised to take only one form of outdoor exercise a day.
People have been told to stay at home and only shop for the ‘basic necessities’ as ‘infrequently as possible’, said Mr Johnson, who added that travelling to and from work should only be done ‘when absolutely necessary’.