PM move to end restrictions blasted by politicians
Shock news this week that the UK Government will end Covid self-isolation measures and other restrictions imminently have been dismissed in Renfrewshire as a move to use a“fig leaf”to cover other issues.
Boris Johnson announced on Wednesday that all remaining coronavirus regulations including the need to isolate by law following a positive test, will be abolished in England in two weeks.
But the Scottish Government has taken a more cautious approach, including refusing to confirm when restrictions are likely to completely lifted in Scotland.
A spokesperson said:“Isolation and mask-wearing have been among the most effective non-pharmaceutical interventions in suppressing covid spread.
“All public health measures are kept under continuous review, including guidance on self-isolation. Decisions are informed by the latest scientific and clinical advice as well as careful consideration of the four harms.
“Scottish Ministers urgently seek clarity from the UK Government to consider any implications for Scotland. ”
The Holyrood government’s approach was backed by Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Gavin Newlands, who suggested the move was a diversionary tactic, saying: “Like most other European countries, Scotland has removed public health measures at a steady pace in line with clinical and scientific advice. I hope we continue to follow that course rather than use the pandemic and our gradual return to normality as a fig leaf for other issues.
“The measures in place right now in Scotland are broadly similar to those across Europe, as was the case with our response to the Omicron variant, where sadly England was the international outlier, as it is again.”
Westminster-based nationalist Gavin added:“It’s striking that the UK Government’s SAGE advisers, who have until now been involved at every stage of the pandemic, were not consulted about Boris Johnson’s announcement this week.
“It appears that the removal of public health measures in England is being used as political cover for a Prime Minister who is under investigation by the police, lies for breakfast and who is desperately trying to salvage his position with extremist Tory backbenchers who disagree with any public health restrictions not matter the human cost.”
Paisley-based Labour MSP Neil Bibby also showed sceptism over the decision and voiced concerns over the lack of consultation.
West of Scotland politician Neil, said: “There is no question that the public health situation is improving but Boris Johnson’s announcement on lifting restrictions came without notice.
“Decisions about how and when to ease restrictions should be thought-through and evidence-based. It shouldn’t come at the last minute and it certainly shouldn’t be used as a deliberate distraction by the Prime Minister from the Downing Street party scandal.
“Labour believe there must be a coherent plan for all of us to live better with Covid and we’ve set out our own proposals. People need to have confidence in government decisions at this time and government should set out clear trigger points as to when restrictions would apply. Both Scottish and UK Governments should work together to secure the recovery and bring this crisis to an end together.”
The Scottish Government has, however, announced that face masks are to be scrapped in Scottish schools
Secondary school pupils in Renfrewshire and across Scotland will no longer need to wear face coverings in classrooms from February 28.
The move has been welcomed by Scots Tory MSP Russell Findlay, who represents West Scotland.
Russell said:“I’m delighted that Nicola Sturgeon has finally agreed that pupils will soon no longer have to wear masks in the classroom.
“With 3.3 million Scots having received their booster jags, it’s time for a return to normality for as many people as possible as we move beyond covid.
“This week we published our Back to Normality report which calls for an end to legal restrictions and for the pandemic to be managed in future through public health guidance and personal responsibility.
“For the past two years, it has become common for different localised approaches to be taken by the four governments of the UK.”
But teachers’reps say they would rather measures to contain covid such as face coverings were continued in schools.
Kenny Fella, of Renfrewshire EIS, told the Express:“Most teachers would have preferred face coverings in schools to be retained until the Easter break in March.
“There are still substantial numbers of teachers and pupils absent due to covid.“