Hope and tiers

IT was inevitable that the five-tier system of coronavirus restrictions would create anomalies and iniquities.

Stirling has relatively low infection rates, but has been graded Level 3 because the health board, NHS Forth Valley, covering a large area, is running out of intensive care beds. In the Scottish Borders, councillors were told to expect the area would be classed as Level 1, with relatively few restrictions, but yesterday it was ranked at Level 2. Meanwhile, Lanarkshire was spared the toughest Level 4 designation – a decision that may change if the situation deteriorates.

It’s a clumsy strategy, but we must hope that it works, and that by making these sacrifices now we can turn the tide against Covid-19 – and avoid going back into a punishing full lockdown this winter.