1. New restrictions have come into effect in Glasgow City, West Dunbartonshire & East Renfrewshire. I know residents in these areas - I am one - feel frustrated and are wondering why we have done X and not Y...so I thought it would be helpful to set out some of the rationale...
2. The virus is spreading again - in the West of Scotland especially - and the rise in cases in these 3 areas is a particular concern. Given the toll we know COVID can take, doing nothing is not an option. However, Test & Protect now allows us to be more targeted in what we do...
3. Our data suggests that spread in and between households is driving much of the transmission just now. That doesn’t mean there are no cases in pubs etc - but unlike in Aberdeen, pub clusters don’t appear, at this stage, to be main driver. That analysis has guided decisions...
4. Based on data, clinical advice is that restricting household gatherings indoors - where it is most difficult to keep physical distance - is vital. Closing pubs wouldn’t be an alternative to that - but an additional measure which, for now, they don’t consider proportionate
5. Coupled with the extended advice on isolation for anyone with potential exposure to the virus, we hope these targeted measures will be sufficient to prevent further spread - if people comply with them. However, we will need to keep situation under review.
6. When we face these situations, there are no good options for those of taking decisions. Our objective is to stem spread with the least impact on lives and the economy. But we must all try to stop the virus spreading in first place - government can’t do that alone
7. I know I sound like a broken record on this - but unless we all stick rigidly to #FACTS and abide by the rules, this highly infectious virus will spread. That is a fact. Difficult though I know it is, stopping it is down to all of us.
8. Data has also told us in recent days that we’ve had a number of positive cases amongst people returning from Greece - that’s why we’ve had to add Greece to quarantine list. Given uncertainties of situation, my advice remains to avoid non essential foreign travel for now
9. Finally, I know how difficult all this is. I hate having to take these decisions and you all hate the impact of them. My plea is that we treat yesterday’s developments as a wake up call and take seriously our individual responsibilities to stop #COVID spreading. Thank you!
