Lifting the lockdown ‘threatens new wave of victims’

THERE is a ‘genuine danger’ Covid-19 will begin to spread again as lockdown measures are lifted, Nicola Sturgeon has warned.

The First Minister said the Scottish Government expects to ‘announce a relaxation’ of some restrictions on Thursday.

This will focus at first on outdoor activities, with changes to come into force from Friday.

But Miss Sturgeon said she expects a rise in people contracting the deadly virus when restrictions ease.

She said: ‘As we start to lift these restrictions, there is a genuine danger that the virus will start to spread again a bit more quickly. The way in which we ensure that doesn’t happen – and the way in which we enable

‘Virus will start to spread again’

even more restrictions to be lifted in future – is to continue to follow whatever public health guidance is in place.’

Discussing the Scottish Government’s plans to ease lockdown, the First Minister said: ‘We will give you careful information as we go through this week about what rules are changing, what measures are in place to help you and what you should be considering as you decide what you can and can’t do.’

Miss Sturgeon also said the Scottish Government will announce more details of its ‘test and protect’ system today, along with a plan for how public transport can operate safely.

Earlier this month, ministers announced that public transport operators will need to run at around 10 to 25 per cent of capacity to impose social distancing, along with reduced services. It is estimated that only between eight and ten passengers will be able to board each ScotRail carriage.

That has sparked fears of long queues at railway stations and gridlock as more commuters take to the roads.

Scottish Labour said yesterday that trains and buses must have screens and other safety measures in place to protect staff and passengers.

Its transport spokesman Colin Smyth said: ‘Passenger numbers are beginning to rise, and that will accelerate as the lockdown is eased from this week.

‘We cannot have a repeat of the scenes we saw in England with overcrowding, as people went back to work.

‘The Government also needs a more definitive position on face coverings. If passengers are being told they must wear them to travel, they should be available free at stations and stops.

‘If the Government has no intention of providing PPE for transport workers, then we need to know how they will be protected.’

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: ‘The plan will be dynamic and regularly updated and will be aligned to the route map out of lockdown set out by the First Minister last week.

‘We have been engaging with a wide range of stakeholders in its development, including operators, Cosla, unions, regional transport partnerships and other stakeholders.

‘This guidance is one of a series being issued by the Scottish Government across different sectors.

‘It will assist transport operators and their workforce in the provision of safe operations during the coronavirus pandemic.

‘It will also set out advice for users, businesses and organisations when considering when to travel and how staff will travel to work.’