Calls to be cautious as new virus variant found
Need for vigilance as Omicron emerges in Lanarkshire
Rutherglen’s MSP has pleaded with locals to be cautious and take care after a new strand of coronavirus was found to have reached Lanarkshire.
Nine cases of Omicron have been identified in Scotland, with five cases in Lanarkshire and a further four in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
It is believed that some of those who are affected by the virus have no travel history, meaning they are likely to have caught it within the local community.
The new variant was first reported in South Africa, and has now spread to numerous other countries.
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey told the Reformer: “I appreciate that this news will be concerning for people in Rutherglen and Cambuslang, as well as across both South and North Lanarkshire.
“At the moment, there is a huge amount that we do not know about the Omicron variant.
“Questions remain about its severity, transmissibility, and effect on treatments or vaccines and scientists are working at pace to provide additional information.
“The days and weeks ahead will tell us much more about the nature of this variant but, in the meantime, we should treat it seriously and with precaution.”
Urging locals to take extra care, Ms Haughey added: “Please continue to wear face coverings, keep up good hygiene through washing hands and surfaces, get vaccinated, work from home if possible, and test yourself before mixing socially with people from other households.”
To tackle the spread of the Omicron variant, the Scottish and UK governments have reinstated the red list of countries, with 10 countries from southern Africa added to it already.
Additionally, Scotland and England are introducing new border restrictions which will require fully vaccinated arrivals to take a PCR test within two days of arrival and to self-isolate until a negative result is received.
Both the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the health secretary Humza Yousaf have also asked Scots to take as much care as possible when travelling.
The First Minister called the development “potentially the most challenging in the pandemic for quite some time”.
She said that no new restrictions would be put in place, but urged “collective national vigilance” in adhering to existing advice around face coverings and sanitising hands and surfaces.
Ms Sturgeon also asked people to take lateral flow tests whenever mixing with people from other households, including for festive socialising.
She said: “We are asking people to significantly step up and increase compliance with existing precautions – face coverings, washing hands and surfaces, and lateral flow testing before mixing with people.
“We’re reminding people to work from home and, as of today, are asking employers to maximise home working.
“The response will be kept under close review as we learn more about the risk Omicron poses.”