South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has commented on the First Minister’s latest Covid-19 statement. Nicola Sturgeon updated MSPs during a session of the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.

The First Minister announced that restrictions on numbers able to attend outdoor events will be scrapped from next Monday. The guidance limiting indoor mixing to three households remains in place, as well as the rules about social distancing and the wearing of face coverings.

Colin Smyth said: “The news that restrictions on the numbers allowed to attend outdoor events are to be lifted will be very welcome for many people, especially sports fans, but few people believe it had any impact on Covid numbers which is why I suspect it has been removed.

“I hope it will be possible to see other restrictions, in particular on the hospitality sector, lifted soon. In the meantime, we need to see more help for businesses who have seen the collapse in customer numbers at what would have been the busiest time of the year.

“The Scottish and UK Governments need to start to work better together in the national interest at this time of crisis by urgently reviewing the level of support they provide.

“This is a time of anxiety for people worried about their lives and livelihoods, and both our Governments need to step up to the mark to support them.

“Although it may be that the new Covid variant is close to reaching its peak, the huge numbers of cases continue to put the NHS, other public services and businesses under huge pressure.

“This highlights just why it is so important for us to get vaccinated, take regular lateral flow tests, wear a face covering when in shops and on public transport and use common sense when mixing.”