Colin Smyth MSP
Colin Smyth MSP

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has commented on the latest Covid-19 update.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, the First Minister confirmed that as from Friday (12 March), four people from two households could meet outside.

Outdoor non-contact sports and organised group exercise will also be allowed for all adults in groups of up to 15. Meanwhile, 12-17 year olds will be able to meet in groups of four, from up to four different households. And as long as virus levels remain under control, communal worship can also restart from 26 March, in socially distanced groups of up to 50.

More pupils are expected to return to classrooms from next Monday, including remaining primary school years and some secondary students.

By late April, the government hopes to move back to a local levels system of regional restrictions across Scotland.

Colin Smyth said: “We are now approaching 12 months of living in the shadow of Covid-19, so the news that restrictions are being eased slightly will be welcomed for many.

“However, we must not forget that until we are all vaccinated, Covid-19 is still out there and we must take precautions to keep ourselves and our communities safe.

“The Scottish Government has still published very little detail in their ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown, but what we do know is that most businesses will need to remain closed until beyond April.

“The UK and Scottish Government need to get their act together and ensure support is in place to get local firms through the next few months, in particular those that have not been eligible for support through other schemes.

“We also need a consistent approach regarding the lifting of travel restrictions that does not adversely impact on border communities. It would be deeply unfair on the one hand to open up travel across Scotland but still have a travel ban between Scotland and England if the prevalence of the virus is no higher on the other side of the border.

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