New rules risk severe damage to economy

MOST of us have been willing to play our part in battling coronavirus, whatever the sacrifices. And they have been significant, entailing massive disruption to our personal – and professional – lives.

Now the state’s micro-management of our everyday movements has been stepped up a gear. The ‘rule of six’ is an imposition that many will find hard to bear. No wonder shops, pubs and restaurants are warning of potentially calamitous consequences.

Just as they were pulling out of a destructive nose-dive, a fresh round of restrictions threatens their very existence.

It would be easier to swallow if Nicola Sturgeon hadn’t conceded on Friday that the rule has entirely arbitrary roots.

Across the UK there are small differences: here children are exempt, as they are unlikely to catch or spread Covid.

Different governments have arrived at different conclusions – despite having access to the same scientific advice.

The new protocols also apply outdoors in Scotland – despite the fact that the risk of transmission is far lower outside.

True, case numbers are rising, and there are signs that a second spike in the virus is beginning to gain momentum.

But isn’t there a risk – as one expert has warned – that public compliance will decrease, and give way to civil unrest?

As the Scottish Retail Consortium has warned, ‘protracted implementation of restrictions’ could hit ‘consumer confidence and customer footfall in the run-up to the key Christmas trading period’.

Lockdown was eased only a matter of weeks ago, giving businesses crucial breathing space.

We’re all prepared to follow official advice to save lives. But ministers must recognise we have reached the outer limits of what our battered economy can withstand.