GET SET FOR LOCKDOWN PART TWO
Leaked memo reveals tough Tier Four curbs including travel bans and shop closures ‘can’t be ruled out’ for almost 700,000 Scots
MORE than 660,000 Scots face being plunged into harsh new lockdown measures amid rising coronavirus cases.
North and South lanarkshire could be forced into the highest level of restrictions in Scotland under nicola Sturgeon’s new fivetier system next week.
The First Minister has outlined her concerns over the area, which has seen a constant surge in cases recently.
More than 11,000 people have been infected by the virus during the pandemic in the two local authorities, the highest rates outside glasgow.
last night, a leaked letter revealed ministers are considering putting the areas into near-lockdown. This would mean a ban on i ndoor meetings between households, with bars, cafes and restaurants closed – similar to current restrictions in the Central Belt.
But level 4 measures would also see non- essential shops, hairdressers, gyms and libraries closed, while locals would be banned from travelling to other areas.
Councillor Meghan gallacher, Conservative group leader for north lanarkshire Council, said: ‘Those living and working in lanarkshire must
also see the SNP Government commit to publishing the rationale behind i mposing any f urther restrictions.’ The development comes as: A further 1,122 people tested positive in Scotland – with one person dying in the last 24 hours.
Thirty-six people were admitted to hospital with 1,052 patients being treated by medical staff.
John Swinney warned that students might not be allowed to return home for Christmas unless the virus is suppressed.
Experts suggested people are becoming ‘ resentful’ of t he restrictions.
Last night a leaked letter from council umbrella body Cosla emerged, revealing North and South Lanarkshire could be put into Level 4 of Miss Sturgeon’s new tier system from next Monday.
It also suggests Dundee could be placed in Level 3 after becoming a ‘ cause for concern’ in recent days.
But the letter says decisions on which areas will be in which tier have yet to be made.
It says improvements in the prevalence of the virus could see areas moved down from the level they are close to entering. Miss Sturgeon said ‘for many places there may be no immediate change’ in current restrictions.
This would see most parts of the Central Belt enter Level 3, while elsewhere in Scotland would be at Level 2.
The leaked Cosla letter confirms that Edinburgh and Glasgow are likely to enter Level 3, with Aberdeen going into Level 2.
But it states that ‘Level 4 is being considered for North and South Lanarkshire’ amid ‘concern’ for the two areas. The document adds: ‘There are some signs in the latest data the situation in those areas may be stabilising’ but warns ‘at this stage the use of Level 4 cannot be ruled out’.
Yesterday, Miss Sturgeon reported a further 274 people in Lanarkshire had tested positive. In Greater Glasgow and Clyde there were 428 more cases, 105 in Lothian and 97 in Ayrshire and Arran.
In the Scottish parliament debate today, MSPs will vote on the new strategic framework, and the levels of restrictions it sets out.
It is understood final decisions on which Tiers different areas of Scotland are in will be taken later this week.
A Cosla spokesman said: ‘We are working constructively with Scottish Government to ensure local government is fully engaged in advance of Ministers making decisions.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘No decisions have been taken on what level local authorities will be in.’
WITH livelihoods at stake and personal f reedoms on the l i ne, i t’s vital that lockdowns are imposed with maximum transparency.
So it’s concerning that the news about plans for Lanarkshire to be forced into ‘tier f our’ restrictions came in a l eaked document. Nearly 700,000 people face being subjected to something approaching full lockdown, with the possible reintroduction of ‘stay at home’ guidance.
These alarming moves are being considered ahead of a Holyrood debate today, when MSPs will vote on the SNP Government’s new five-tier strategy.
Behind the scenes, it is clear officials are poised to activate the new system without delay, amid concern about rising Covid case numbers in the Lanarkshire area.
But we’re also told the lockdown measures imposed so far may be putting the brakes on the national surge in infections.
Despite that positive development, there are more grim warnings that normal life is likely to be on hold for months to come.
As if a ‘digital Christmas’ were not enough, Halloween guising is off limits, while even giving sweets to children is deemed a Covid risk. Now students have been warned they may have to stay in their accommodation on December 25, in a further blow to their dwindling morale.
The bond of trust with the public that has sustained lockdown thus far is being severely tested. At the very least, there should have been rigorous parliamentary debate before these latest clampdowns were even discussed.
The impact on every aspect of life is so profound that MSPs can’t simply rubberstamp sweeping changes without careful reflection. Drip-feeding draconian curbs on our lives on social media is no way to shore up public confidence.
But it’s worth reflecting that hopes of a scientific breakthrough to help defeat Covid haven’t faded away – indeed, they are growing by the day.
Yesterday, we learned that a vaccine in an Oxford University trial has produced a robust immune response in elderly people, the group at highest risk from the disease.
And Professor Jason Leitch has suggested Scotland could get some doses of vaccine by Christmas.
That’s a prospect that should help to see us through the bleak winter ahead, looking forward to the day when, finally, we can face Covid without fear.