IS CHRISTMAS IN JEOPARDY?

Sturgeon warns festive rules may be tightened ++ New cases of mutant strain found in Scotland ++ Experts say family get-togethers could spark deadly third wave ++

CHRISTMAS plans were thrown into doubt last night as a new coronavirus strain was confirmed in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon yesterday said she is considering whether to change the rules around next week’s festive family gatherings.

She confirmed that options include cutting the number of people who can form Christmas ‘bubbles’ or reducing the length of time that the rules are relaxed.

It followed grim warnings from medical experts that allowing up to eight people to meet over five days from December 23-27 could spark a catastrophic third Covid wave which would overwhelm the NHS.

Talks took place between the four UK nations last night and further discussions are planned for today. But Miss Sturgeon warned she may consider setting different rules in Scotland if agreement cannot be reached on a UK-wide approach.

Other options being considered in the talks, led by Michael Gove, are strengthening the guidance and public messaging around the rules, or telling people they should self-isolate for a week before they

form a ‘bubble’. Changing the Christmas regulations was initially ruled out by Miss Sturgeon on Monday.

But she yesterday said it may be necessary as she confirmed nine cases of a new variant of the virus had been found in the Greater Glasgow area.

Miss Sturgeon told MSPs: ‘We are considering whether any additional precautions are necessary in light of what we know so far, i ncluding whether there should be any change over the Christmas period because of this or the wider context.’

All travel restrictions are due to be lifted from December 23-27 to allow people to meet up with family members. Up to eight people from a maximum of three households will be allowed to meet over the five days.

But Miss Sturgeon said: ‘I do think there is a case for us looking at whether we tighten the flexibilities

‘No room for complacency’

that we are giving any further, both in terms of duration and numbers of people meeting, and I will consider the views of the other nations.

‘If we can come to a four-nation agreement that would be preferable. If that is not possible then we will consider within the Scottish Government what we think is appropriate.’

It is understood that some of those involved in the talks back the current plans but with a stronger message that people should only meet up if they have to.

Another option is setting new rules for those forming bubbles, such as self-isolating for a week beforehand.

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said the current plan was a ‘ hard-won agreement’ and that he will ‘ not lightly put it aside’.

Following last night’s talks, a Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘ The four-nations call was a good opportunity to review the position on Christmas and discuss whether the messaging or g ui dance requires to be reinforced. These discussions will continue tomorrow.’

Ruth Davidson, leader of the Tories at Holyrood, said: ‘The rate of transmission which the First Minister has outlined today makes it clear that this virus is not about to let up over Christmas.

‘There is no room for complacency and, while the guidance allows for greater contact between households, we should all do our bit to limit the spread of the virus by being suitably cautious over the festive period.’

Health service leaders have urged ministers to abandon the ‘rash decision’ to ease the rules over Christmas.

A rare joint editorial published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and the Health Service Journal (HSJ), said that the Government ‘is about to blunder into another major error that will cost many lives’ during the ‘inevitable’ third wave in January.

HSJ editor Alastair McLellan and BMJ editor Fiona Godlee noted that when ministers devised the Christmas plan ‘Covid-19 demand on the NHS would be decreasing’.

‘But it is not, it is rising, and the emergence of a new strain of the virus has introduced further potential jeopardy,’ they added.

‘If our political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action, they can no longer claim to be protecting the NHS.’

WITH Christmas only nine days away, thousands of families anxiously await a decision on the relaxation of Covid curbs.

Many had planned long- delayed gettogethers, abiding by the rules, but now there are signs of a possible U-turn.

Nicola Sturgeon has signalled Scotland could go its own way, taking a tougher approach, as concern grows over the spread of the virus.

Nine cases of a new variation of Covid have been confirmed i n the Greater Glasgow area, which may spread faster than existing strains.

Against this bleak backdrop, the need for caution is understandable – the pay-off for festive ‘easements’ could be an explosion in daily case numbers next month.

But the uncertainty over what will happen next week is corrosive, and while families recognise it’s a fast-moving and fluid situation, they badly need a consistent message from ministers.

For those who are vulnerable and living alone there’s a real risk of social isolation, and after a distressing year families are desperate to see each other again.

Today there will be more discussions aimed at coming up with a solution to a real dilemma. Prevarication on both sides of the Border risks a backlash – travel plans have been made, and a last-minute U-turn would be hugely unpopular.

There are no easy answers, and ministers are having to balance competing priorities in the midst of a public health crisis.

But whatever is decided, it should be done on a four-nation basis – the alternative would become quickly unmanageable.

And we can’t wait any longer: it’s time to stop dithering, and come up with a workable compromise for the whole UK.