SCOTLAND ‘DAYS AWAY FROM NEW LOCKDOWN’
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked email shows towns and cities facing threat of harshest Tier 4 curbs
VAST swathes of Scotland are ‘likely’ to be plunged back into full lockdown this week, business chiefs have been warned.
Scottish Government officials told them they should expect Level 4 restrictions – the toughest of the five-tier system – to be confirmed for much of West Central scotland following tomorrow’s lockdown review.
They indicated that the rules are likely to be in force for two weeks across 12 local authority areas.
These are expected to be Glasgow, the three Ayrshire councils, the two renfrewshire authorities, West and East Dunbartonshire, North and south Lanarkshire, inverclyde and stirling.
Ministers have also confirmed that calls for non-essential shops to stay open during Level 4 restrictions have been rejected.
This will see the vast majority of businesses in each of the high streets and town centres closed down and locked up from Friday, when the restrictions are expected
to come into force. The Government has also told business leaders the introduction of mandatory travel restrictions is still under consideration, which could mean £60 on-the- spot fines for those who travel outside Level 4 areas without a valid reason.
Police officers, however, have previously questioned how this could be enforced.
The details were disclosed in two private briefings with trade bodies – with an email summary passed on to the Scottish Daily Mail.
According to the leaked document, business leaders were told that ‘it is likely/probable that on Tuesday the First Minister will say that a number of Scottish local authorities will be put into Level 4 of the Covid strategic framework’.
It says this would take effect from 6am on Friday in the 12 areas and, while there is no definite timescale, it is ‘likely to be for two weeks’.
Under Level 4 restrictions, all bars, restaurants and cafes have to close, apart from for takeaways. Hairdressers, beauty salons and other ‘close contact retail services’ will also be shut down entirely. The document, compiled by the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) for its member companies, also states that Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop rejected requests to let ‘non-essential’ shops stay open in Level 4 areas.’
Last week, it emerged that council bosses in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lanarkshire health board areas had been told the introduction of Level 4 was ‘possible’.
Business leaders fear this could be catastrophic f or Scotland’s high streets in the run-up to Christmas.
David Lonsdale, director of the SRC, said: ‘It’s been a torrid year for Scottish shops – but the worst may be yet to come if they are forced to close over the coming weeks. The period l eading up to Christmas is crucial for many retailers.’
Tracy Black, director of CBI Scotland, said: ‘At all levels, support must be made available from the moment any restrictions come into force... anything less and even more businesses crucial to our recovery will go to the wall, with further job losses.’
Official figures yesterday showed 1,159 new cases of Covid-19, with the number in hospital rising by 43, to 1,241, with 100 in intensive care.
There were no new deaths reported, although registration offices are generally closed at the weekends.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney told the BBC’s Politics Scotland programme that Level 4 is ‘not inevitable’.
He added: ‘We’re looking very carefully at all the data and having dialogue and discussion with local authorities.
‘The Government has been anxious to avoid putting local authorities into Level 4 restrictions [but] we are seeing the levels of the virus being stubbornly high in some areas.’
Mr Swinney said: ‘People think maybe the battle is over because the vaccine is coming – well it is not over, we’ve got a really tough period ahead.’
PUGH IS AWAY