South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that the country will begin phase one of lifting the lockdown restrictions.
Scots are now able to meet people from one other household per day, as long as they do so outside, stay 2 metres apart and in groups of no more than 8 people. Some outdoor sports that can be played safely, such as golf, tennis and angling, have also been allowed to resume so long as players follow hygiene and social distancing regulations.
The First Minister also confirmed that, provided social distancing could be maintained, more outdoor businesses would be able to reopen, with garden centres getting the go-ahead immediately along with council recycling centres. Most local authorities have confirmed they will be reopening their local recycling sites but with strict social distancing measures.
Councils have also asked the public to avoid visiting in the first few days if they can as demand is expected to be high.
The Scottish Government has also asked that people continue to stay close to their homes as much as possible, ideally within 5 miles, when meeting others. Public transport operators are planning to slowly increase services but social distancing means capacity will be much less than normal so we’re being encouraged to avoid buses and trains and stick to walking or cycling if we can. If you have no choice but to use public transport, you’re now expected to wear a face covering.
While supporting the Scottish Government’s steps to slowly reopen Scotland after the lockdown, Brian Whittle believes the Government are going to have to be pragmatic about what businesses and activities are allowed to resume when.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
After so many weeks of being separated from our friends and family and unable to do anything very much, this is a welcome step forward.
If we want to keep moving forward and see more restrictions eased, it’s still very important that we all stick to social distancing and keep washing our hands regularly to avoid spreading the virus.
Lifting the restrictions is going to be more complicated than imposing them. The Scottish Government have to strike the right balance between controlling the spread of the virus, letting people get their lives back and getting the economy back up and running.
We all have a responsibility to act in a way that protects each other and ourselves, and if we can do that then the Scottish Government should trust us enough to ease more restrictions. The longer lockdown measures are in place, the greater the risk to jobs, businesses, charities, sports clubs and all the other organisations feeling the financial strain.”
