The First Minister today has recognised that the continued low number of Covid-19 cases in the Highlands and Moray mean that indoor socialising may soon be permitted again and has agreed to look at relaxing the current ban on household visits.
Highlands and Islands MSP, Edward Mountain, raised the issue and has welcomed the First Minister’s undertaking to review the ban on household visits in Highland and Moray.
It was confirmed that Highlands and Moray will remain under Level One restrictions along with the Shetland Isles, Orkney Isles and the Western Isles.
Indoor socialising has been permitted in Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles since the 10 November 2020, but continues to be banned in the Highlands and Moray.
During the First Minister’s statement, Edward Mountain MSP asked: “First Minister, on the 10 November you allowed up to 6 people from 2 households on Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles to meet. This was due to a lack of meeting places and the need to address isolation. Given that the Highlands and Moray have the same issues and have the same level on the allocator of levels table, both on the 24 November and today, will you consider mirroring the islands’ home visit rules to the rest of the Highlands and Moray?
The First Minister replied: “Yes we are considering that. The advice to date has been on a precautionary basis not to make that change. However it’s one of the issues we will be considering up to and through next week’s review, and if there is any changes to that next week I will set that out to Parliament.”
Following the statement Edward Mountain MSP commented:
“I welcome that the First Minister has agreed to look at relaxing the restrictions on household visits in the Highlands and Moray, on the basis that the lack of meeting places and the need to address isolation is just as important in the Highlands and Moray as it is in the Islands.
Whilst covid-19 remains a serious threat, I am encouraged to see that the Highlands and Moray have very low rates of infection. If this trend continues and the rules are relaxed, then this would be a real boost to the remote areas of Scotland as we head into Christmas.”
