Details of potential ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown leaked
Scotland could face a “circuit breaker ” lockdown including a complete closure of hospitality and a return to the stay-athome message of the early stages of the pandemic, a leaked memo appears to suggest.
The memo, which is genuine and was written on Saturday before being published by Guido Fawkes yesterday suggests the Scottish Government is keeping options open in regards to a potential return to lockdown for the whole country.
Two options for a “circuit breaker ” lockdown could include a standardised twoweek period of lockdown across Scotland, or a “rolling circuit break” in line with halfterm holiday dates to avoid a major impact to education.
Included in the list of potential restrictions are the closure of hospitality, hairdressers and entertainment venues, remote learning at universities and colleges, and five or 30 mile travel restrictions.
The memo also suggests the “circuit breaker ” option is being viewed as an additional measure alongside other restrictions which remain unknown.
It states: “Plus optional ‘circuit break’ which can be factored into either Option
1 or 2. This could be either a fixed, standardised two-week period across Scotland, or a ‘rolling circuit break’ reflecting existing half-term holiday dates across Scotland.
Nicola Sturgeon, speaking at her daily coronavirus briefing, said she would not comment on whether the document was genuine but said anyone making conclusions that the measures were guaranteed to happen are “wrong”.
She added: “Any responsible government is looking at a whole range of options. We haven’t reached final decisions yet.”
During the briefing, she declined to outline which measures are being considered by the Scottish Government ahead of the likely announcement of new Covid-19 restrictions today or tomorrow .
Ms Sturgeon said she would reveal the full extent of the new restrictions in an address to the Scottish Parliament once the decisions have been finalised.
In response to the leaked document, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaked documents.
“As the First Minister said today, we are looking at a wide range of options. No final decisions have been made.”
Among the possible restrictions being considered listed in the memo are;
● School closures
● Remote learning only at universities and colleges
● Closure of all hospitality
● Stay At Home messaging returns
● Potential five or 30 mile travel restrictions
● Closure of entertainment venues
● No visitor attractions
● No indoor group activities
● No contact sports
● No spectators in stadiums or indoor live events
● No personal retail services such as hairdressers or driving lessons
● Restrictions on care home and hospital visiting
● No unregulated children’s activities.
● Places of worship open for private prayer or reflection only