Comment on Jan 4th Update from the First Minister

Published:

Categories: Coronavirus (COVID-19), Governance, Health, SNP Scottish Government

Bruce Crawford MSP said:

“This isn’t the New Year statement that anyone wanted to hear, but the spike in daily figures – pushed up by the new, faster spreading variant of Covid-19 – has meant that there is no other option but to have in place further restrictions to reduce the number of places the virus can spread. The rate that this variant is spreading means that the current Level 4 restrictions we are under are not sufficient alone to save lives and protect the NHS.

“The decision to not open schools fully for the remainder of the month at least has not been taken lightly. As the First Minister has indicated, whilst schools and nurseries are the last places we all want to see closed, so too they will be the first places we want to see reopened. A full reopening of all schools and nurseries this month is not consistent with a safety first approach, which is why most pupils will be learning remotely during January.

“As tough as this is, I urge people to stick with it. We are faced with a new challenge in the form of a mutated variant of this virus. However, we’ve already shown ourselves what can be achieved by keeping our distance and keeping each other safe.”

Alyn Smith MP said:

“The recent daily figures coming out following the recent spread of the new variant of Covid are startling and it is clear that there is no option but to take action to keep people safe and to prevent our NHS from being overrun.

“As the First Minister pointed out, we are in a race with this virus; we are now armed with two vaccines which are being rolled out to the population, but the virus has just gotten faster at spreading itself amongst people.

“Myself, Bruce Crawford MSP and the team at Stirling Council will continue to work closely with people and businesses to help ensure everyone gets the support they need. However, people should familiarise themselves with the new rules in place and stick to them. They’re in place to do the most important thing we can possibly do: save lives.”

Notes:

Scottish Government news: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-update-first-ministers-statement-monday-4-january-2021/