ROAD MAP BACK TO NORMALITY
Tories reveal plan to speed up easing by three weeks
SCOTLAND should move to the lowest level of lockdown restrictions within the next two months, Douglas Ross has said.
A new ‘rebuilding road map’ published by the Scottish Conservatives has suggested that coronavirus curbs can be relaxed at a faster pace.
Scottish Tory leader Mr Ross said the plan would speed up Nicola Sturgeon’s current approach by roughly three weeks, based on public health data and the vaccine rollout.
The plan states the vaccine drive across the UK is having a ‘positive impact’ on health data, with the number of people in hospital in Scotland down by more than 75 per cent in a month. It adds that ‘transmission rates’ of coronavirus are now ‘well below the level where the World Health Organisation considers Covid-19 to be under control’.
Under the proposals, gyms would reopen immediately to help boost Scots’ mental and physical health.
Bars and restaurants can open in Scotland from April 26, but can only serve alcohol outdoors.
Mr Ross believes indoor alcohol consumption should be allowed at hospitality venues.
The Tories’ plan would also allow cinemas, bingo halls, indoor group exercise, small indoor and outdoor events, and outdoor contact sports for adults, to resume from this date – with Scotland effectively moving to Level 2 of the tier system.
Mr Ross says indoor non-contact sports should resume from May 17, with Scotland moving to Level 0 ‘not before June 7’.
Launching the plan yesterday, Mr Ross said: ‘The success of the vaccine scheme and positive public health data supports a more optimistic road map out of restrictions, while still remaining cautious.
‘The easing of restrictions will kick-start the economy but it will not prevent an economic crisis.
‘A tsunami of job losses and business failures will still hit Scotland unless urgent action is taken.’ Mainland Scotland remains in Level 4, with a slight easing of restrictions taking place.
Hairdressers, garden centres and homeware shops were allowed to reopen this week.
Miss Sturgeon has confirmed schools will fully reopen after the Easter break – with the country set to move into Level 3 from April 26.
Non-essential retailers can then open, and gyms and hospitality venues will have restrictions.
Speeding up the relaxation of rules is phase one of the Tories’ three-step ‘rebuilding road map’.
It also includes an ambitious plan to kick-start the economy, increase employment and protect jobs.
They vow to recruit 3,000 teachers, deliver £500 ‘retrain to rebuild’ grants, provide an extra £2billion for the NHS, complete the rollout of full fibre broadband within six years and restore local policing.
Under phase two, Mr Ross aims to have full employment by 2025, with a massive internal tourism drive to be launched in the UK.
The Tories also call for rapid development of courses for those looking to seek new opportunities and retrain in Scotland. The final phase would see a government led by Mr Ross working to secure teachers’ jobs as well as launching a major drive on housing, broadband and apprenticeships.
He said: ‘As the most anti-business First Minister since devolution, Nicola Sturgeon is not suited to lead an SNP majority government through the looming eco
nomic crisis. There is a real risk of an SNP majority that fails to support Scotland’s recovery with the necessary jobs plan to match the scale of this emergency, and instead chooses to drag Scotland through the economic uncertainty of another divisive referendum.
‘Our rebuilding road map presents a detailed blueprint to get Scotland on a faster road to recovery ahead of the SNP’s schedule’.
Last night, the SNP said evidence on easing restrictions would continue to lead decisionmaking, with a pledge to speed up the moves if public health data allows.
Public Health Minister Mairi Gougeon said: ‘The worst thing that could happen to our economy is for there to be a surge in cases because restrictions have been lifted too early.
‘The First Minister will continue to do as she has done throughout the pandemic and consider all information and evidence carefully. If it is possible to lift restrictions earlier, we will.’