Leadership needed on one-metre rule

SIR, – I’m so disappointed with the first minister’s performance so far.

Andrew Wilson, a senior well-respected SNP economist, along with Sir Tom Hunter, the industrialist, and other Scots in business have told her the twometre social distancing rule is not sustainable, is destroying the hospitality and tourist industry in Scotland and must be waived to one metre, which the World Health Organisation has also said is acceptable.

Being a leader involves making decisions based on risk, offsetting the disadvantages of the virus spread against the benefits of opening and facilitating to the public our hospitality and tourist sectors, so addressing the appalling and unacceptable mental anguish and worry that our small and large business owners are suffering.

Nicola Sturgeon does not seem to be prepared to take any risk, and lead, taking advice from medical academics for whom

I have the utmost respect, but mostly I assume have no concept of running a business.

The two-metre rule must be reduced forthwith, otherwise I expect the opposition parties at next year’s elections to accuse the first minister and the SNP of being responsible for the destruction of the hospitality and tourist industry.

Roger Houghton, Richmondhill Road, Aberdeen