Lockdown restrictions looming

Lanarkshire residents have been warned that the area is “very close” to the reimposition of lockdown restrictions like those in neighbouring Glasgow and two other council areas.

NHS Lanarkshire is urging the local population to “keep Lanarkshire out of lockdown”, saying a rise in local cases of Covid-19 is bringing the area close to similar action and that “preventative precautionary measures may be advised”.

Nineteen new cases of coronavirus in Lanarkshire were announced at the First Minister’s daily briefing on Monday, taking the cumulative total for the health board area during the pandemic to 3113.

Figures from Public Health Scotland show that Lanarkshire is recording 470.3 positive cases per 100,000 of population and that 3.7 per cent of tests are positive.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde – where indoor visits to other households in Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire are currently banned – has 502.7 positive cases per 100,000 people and a 3.7 per cent positive test rate.

NHS Lanarkshire director of public health Gabe Docherty said: “No-one wants another lockdown – but Lanarkshire is very close to facing additional

Covid-19 restrictions similar to those in Glasgow and neighbouring areas.

“The situation [there] is geographically close but also very close in terms of being replicated right here in Lanarkshire.

“It should be a wake-up call for all of us to stick to the guidelines, stop this virus spreading any further or any faster and keep Lanarkshire out of lockdown.

“We need everyone’s help to avoid that happening by following well-publicised advice – in particular, I’d encourage people who are returning from restricted travel locations to isolate for 14 days when they return.

“If you have symptoms, even mild, please do not attend work.

“Similarly, it’s crucially important people limit the amount of people they have any kind of close contact with.”

Health officials are again urging people to stay within the maximum gathering limits for people and households, observe travel quarantine rules and to follow all of the existing coronavirus advice.

The government guidance is that there should be no more than eight people from a maximum of three households at any indoor gathering and no more than 15 people from up to five households meeting together outdoors.

Mr Docherty added:“Remember FACTS – Face coverings, Avoid crowded places, Clean hands regularly, Two-metre distance and Self-isolate if you have symptoms.”