HOME VISITS ARE BANNED

NO household mixing indoors NO pubs after 10pm curfew NO half-term foreign hols

First Minister imposes draconian measures as infection rates soar — amid fears crackdown will ruin Christmas and last another SIX months SCOTS are banned from visiting each other’s homes from today.

the restriction is part of tough new coronavirus curbs unveiled yesterday by nicola Sturgeon which could be in place for months.

only a few exemptions were made to the household visits clampdown. these include single people, grandparents providing childcare and tradesmen. Anyone breaking the rules will face the threat of a fixed penalty of £60, which can increase to £960 for repeat offenders.

A 10pm curfew will also be introduced for all bars and restaurants from Friday, leading to claims it will leave Scotland’s hospitality industry ‘staring into the abyss’.

the sector, which fears the curfew will see a rise in house parties, was warned it will face a complete shutdown if the latest new rules are not followed. the restrictions will initially

be in place for three weeks but could continue for up to six months – putting family Christmas celebrations in doubt.

A controversial proposal to introduce a ‘circuit breaker’ – where restrictions similar to a full lockdown are reintroduced for a short period to bring down infections – is also still ‘under review’.

The major limits on the freedoms of individuals and new rules on businesses were introduced amid fears Scotland is on the brink of a resurgence of the virus, which could put new strain on the NHS.

It came as 383 Covid-19 cases were reported yesterday – the highest daily total for more than five months.

Unveiling the draconian measures – which go further than curbs introduced by Boris Johnson south of the Border yesterday – Miss Sturgeon said: ‘The measures I am announcing today are tough, I will not pretend otherwise. But they do not represent a full-scale lockdown of the kind imposed in March. Indeed, today’s measures are an attempt to avoid another lockdown.’ Other key developments included:

Businesses were told they must allow staff to work from home if possible and were warned a new ‘legal duty’ could be introduced to force them to do so.

Hospitality bosses warned 90,000 jobs are on the line as the industry battles to survive following the latest curbs.

Plans for the return of spectators to sport stadiums, live music, indoor events and theatre from October 5 are ‘unlikely’ to go ahead.

Councils were told their environment wardens must enforce the new pub curfew rules – but it was unclear whether the Army is on standby to assist with policing the rules.

Families were warned not to book foreign breaks during next month’s school holidays and to restrict domestic travel if possible.

The ban on household visits was introduced in Scotland despite people in EngLib

‘Every restriction is a risk to jobs’

land still being able to meet in groups of up to six people.

Announcing the controversial decision, Miss Sturgeon said medical advisers had told ministers that ‘household interaction is a key driver of transmission’.

Mr Johnson said his restrictions may be in place for six months but Miss Sturgeon said she hoped her additional measures could be in place for a shorter period.

Dem MSP Mike Rumbles said: ‘Does the First Minister understand that forbidding people from visiting their family and other households like this cannot hold for long? And for the state to say you cannot visit family at home but can meet in the pub is quite simply wrong.’

Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: ‘Every restriction imposed is a risk to jobs. We need to see a joint plan between the Scottish and UK Government, with a package of support measures ready to go which gives businesses the confidence to plan, prepare and trade.’

In a televised address last night, Miss Sturgeon said the past six months had been ‘the hardest many of us have ever lived through’.

She said the country is again at a ‘tipping point’ and stressed that ‘we must act to get Covid back under control’.

Further ‘sacrifices’ were needed to protect priorities including keeping schools open, restarting NHS services, keeping care homes safe and protecting jobs.

Miss Sturgeon said: ‘I know that all of this has been incredibly tough – and six months on it only gets tougher. But never forget that humanity has come through even bigger challenges than this one.

‘And though it doesn’t feel like it now, this virus will pass. It won’t last forever and one day, hopefully soon, we will be looking back on it, not living through it. So though we are all struggling with this – and believe me, we are all struggling – let’s pull together.’

Comment – Page 18

MAIL NEWSPAPERS CUSTOMER SERVICES: