The threat of Covid-19 remains a serious one and the risk of transmission will continue to rise as we head into winter. Nevertheless, it was still bitterly disappointing for everyone to hear the First Minister’s latest announcement of further restrictions in the battle against the pandemic.
This is a step backwards and not the step forwards we all wanted.
We are all now adapting to a ‘circuit breaker’ which means hospitality venues are banned from serving alcohol indoors for two weeks and can only open indoors between the hours of 6am to 6pm. Serving alcohol outdoors is permitted, but only until 10pm. The measures are even more restrictive in Central Scotland, where pubs and restaurants will be shut indoors and outdoors for sixteen days.
Pub and restaurant owners will be especially disheartened as it will have a crippling effect on their businesses and jobs and sadly for some, it could be final orders.
James Withers, the Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, referred to the shut down as a “hammer blow” and stated that “the ripple effects for the economy and communities shouldn’t be under-estimated.”
The hospitality sector has every right to be fearful for its future. The UK Government’s ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme provided a much needed short-term boost, but this industry is still struggling to overcome the effects from the long-term impact of the first lockdown. These new restrictions will pause that recovery.
It is good news that the Scottish Government is making a £40 million fund available to the businesses impacted by the latest shutdown. However, at the time of writing this article, businesses are uncertain as to what they can claim and how much they can receive.
I cannot believe the Scottish Government haven’t been in dialogue with the industry to identify where these funds should be targeted before the shutdown was announced.
Some people may well begin to question the scientific justification for nationwide restrictions, especially when we know that when tackling a disease we need to have a focussed approach and the focus must be on where we can achieve the best results.
Blanket bans, which impact the entire country, can risk undermining public support. Furthermore, we also need to be convinced that the medicine is not more damaging than the disease. There is no doubt our physical and mental health is being effected and we need to factor the cost of this into our decisions.
That is why I strongly believe that new restrictions must be scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament before implementation. As it currently stands our Parliament is excluded from the decision making process and that is wrong.
There is little scope for MSPs to represent the interests of their constituents, to question and analyse decisions made on our behalf. I don’t believe that is good for our democracy and I don’t believe it is the right way to address this public health challenge. It also means that it is less likely that we will see local responses to spikes in the disease.
To effectively beat this pandemic and protect the most vulnerable there is no doubt that we need to stay together and everyone needs to abide by the rules. The way to do this is for everyone to know that the rules have been properly scrutinised and the effects fully considered.
If we don’t, until an effective vaccine is developed, then it is unlikely that we will all survive the bumpy road that is, without doubt, ahead.
In parting I would like to say I know that the new measures will be tough on businesses and families in the Highlands and Islands. If you require my help during this challenging time, then please contact me.
**Article originally published in the Caithness Courier, 16 October 2020
