By George We’re positive but stay cautious
Last week Paisley and Renfrewshire – along with the other ten local authorities who were in Level 4 alongside us – received some positive news as we were moved back down to Level 3 on Friday.
I know the past three weeks were very difficult for many people in our town, and I understand how financially challenging the increased restrictions and closures have been on our local businesses and industry.
That’s why I was delighted to hear the First Minister in her update to parliament outline how important – and successful – the period in Level 4 was in reducing the number of positive cases within our community.
While it has been very hard, our sacrifices have been worth it and I think it’s crucial to remember that lives were literally being saved while the increased restrictions were in place.
A return to Level 3 does give us a bit more freedom but I would like to urge everyone living and working in our town to continue to act with caution and responsibility at all times as we are by no means out of the woods just yet.
Under Level 3 anyone living in Renfrewshire must not travel outside the local authority area unless travelling for essential reasons such as work, healthcare, or caring responsibilities and indoor visits to any household outside your own or extended household is still prohibited.
However, Level 3 does permit the reopening of non- essential retail businesses, along with the hospitality, beauty, and leisure industries – albeit under the same restrictions as previously.
As businesses opened their doors again on Friday, I know many will have breathed a sigh of relief at being able to get back to some semblance of normality and take advantage of a preChristmas haircut, gym session or visit to a favourite café.
But if the increase of positive cases we saw last month has taught us anything, I hope it’s that covid can rapidly spread throughout our community again if we’re not incredibly careful.
Alongside the reduction in Paisley’s level allocation and the reopening of businesses, last week also saw the first doses of the covid vaccine administered to some of the most vulnerable in our communities – paving another step in the right direction on our journey to beat this virus once and for all.
The efforts of all of the scientists and medical professionals involved in the research, creation and delivery of the vaccine has been second to none.
For me, it has been one of the shining examples of human cooperation and ingenuity we’ve witnessed in the face of adversity this year.
As the vaccination programme continues and if we all commit to doing our bit as we move forward, I have faith that our lives will return to normal – or at least a new normal – as quickly and safely as possible.