Cross-border clarity needed to save lives

Throughout the coronavirus crisis, the governments of the United Kingdom’s four nations have strived to remain united in their public health message. Aside from some natural and relatively minor crossborder squabbles and misunderstandings, the core communication – stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives – has been clear and effective.

Such clarity has been attributed with reducing the potential death rate and protecting health services.

Since the middle of last week divergence between Scotland and England has widened.

The new Westminster message is now different from that north of the border – while people in Cumbria are being told to “stay alert”, neighbours in Galloway remain effectively housebound.

Some are using semantics to reconcile the differences – people are still being urged to act with caution, with social distancing and isolation far from abandoned.

However, removing clear instructions will lead people to err on the wrong side of caution, as has already been seen with the rush to drive-through coffee shops and VE Day street parties at the weekend.

Boris Johnson’s gambit – clearly designed to show he is on top of the virus and ready to begin examining economic recovery – could come at the cost of any semblance of crossborder harmony at a time when it is most needed.

Nicola Sturgeon was unaware of the change in message thanks to Downing Street’s favoured nod and a wink method of policy announcement and utterly disagrees with it. Health Minister Jeane Freeman said she did not even understand it.

And those left to police the fuzzy new regulations cannot win – as the Scottish Police Federation chairman David Hamilton pointed out, “mixed messaging, fudging, pandering and contradictions all cause a perfect storm”.

Germany, which had begun easing restrictions recently, has seen its infection rate rise again. The same is likely in the UK so timing is critical.

Will Scotland now be forced to go its own way in battling through the pandemic? The health crisis could yet spark a fresh constitutional crisis.

Clarity has saved lives; what cost confusion?