New Scottish COVID-19 Restrictions 07/10/2020

[RomeoCharlie71]

The usual media drip-feeding has started, with one BBC correspondent claiming a "significant crackdown on drinking alcohol in hospitality".

https://twitter.com/nickeardleybbc/status/1313824588661485569?s=21

Expecting significant crackdown on drinking alcohol in hospitality in Scotland to be announced in the next hour

I can't help but think this will put the nail in the coffin for many venues. It seems it's basically a deterrent to stop people going to the boozer, without the SG being shamed for "shutting pubs again".

Full statement by Sturgeon expected at 1450 in Parliament

 

[MattA7]

Perhaps she is planning to copy Brussels which has closed all bars and cafes and banned outdoor drinking. There is speculation pubs will be the hardest hit by her new restrictions

 

[Trackman]

Perhaps she is planning to copy Brussels which has closed all bars and cafes and banned outdoor drinking. There is speculation pubs will be the hardest hit by her new restrictions

She has been making noises about this.

I can't help but think this will put the nail in the coffin for many venues. It seems it's basically a deterrent to stop people going to the boozer, without the SG being shamed for "shutting pubs again".

Greene King today have axed 800 jobs today and a third of pubs will shut permanently.
I can't help thinking they will be more chains going the same way, shutting them will indeed make matters a lot worse.
I feel for people in the hospitality business, they must be tearing their hair out.

 

[DB]

I feel for people in the hospitality business, they must be tearing their hair out.

I'm surprised they haven't been making more of a fuss in the media - it would be fully justified given the appalling way the government are behaving towards them.

 

[bramling]

I'm surprised they haven't been making more of a fuss in the media - it would be fully justified given the appalling way the government are behaving towards them.

They do seem to be being made a scapegoat, which I think is unfair.

I see Sturgeon has already used her favourite word “frank” barely a few seconds in to her statement. She does appear visibly under the weather - whatever one thinks of her policy objectives, she has at least been visible and accountable through all this, which is a far cry from certain other British politicians - it’s clearly taking its toll on her.

 

[Tomp94]

All I can say is I wish I had the finances to pay the fines or businesses who ignore the curfew time!

 

[MattA7]

It has been confirmed she is closing pubs and licensed restaurants.

Covid: Pubs and restaurants in central Scotland to close

The new rules will apply to all licensed premises in the central belt of the country - including Glasgow and Edinburgh.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Ascotroyal]

restaurants and cafes will not be able to sell alcohol indoors after 18:00
The first minister says the restrictions will apply across Scotland.

However, alcohol sales outside will not be allowed in Scotland's central belt - but will be allowed in other parts of country.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Main restrictions, all temporary until 25 October:

• Indoor pubs/bars/restaurants will face a 6am-6pm service-only restriction, no alcohol to be served
• Alcohol sales outside will be allowed (apart from in below 5 health boards)
• All licensed premises in Greater Glasgow/Lanarkside/Ayrshire & Arran/Lothian/Forth Valley to close, takeaway allowed
• Public transport for essential use only in above 5 health boards

Also...

• 2 metre distancing in shops, one-way systems and other mitigations to be re-introduced
• Mandatory face coverings in staff canteens and office corridors

 

[Scotrail12]

• Public transport for essential use only in above 5 health boards

Good luck with that one!

 

[Jamiescott1]

Has she said the evidence behind her decision and what she expects this to achieve?

 

[Scotrail12]

Seems like non-licensed places can open - does that mean it's still a go for places like Starbucks, Greggs & McDonalds?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Good luck with that one!

She said - if the subtitles were right - that this is advisory and not mandatory, though.

I also got the impression that she has finally abandoned the "elimination" strategy?

 

[Huntergreed]

Seems like non-licensed places can open - does that mean it's still a go for places like Starbucks, Greggs & McDonalds?

Sounds like it, from 6-6

 

[Scotrail12]

Sounds like it, from 6-6

A bit crap but better than nothing. At least that means I can still go out a bit during the day.

 

[Yew]

This seems more like a Puritanical purge of "vices" rather than any sort of scientifically backed policy.

 

[Bletchleyite]

This seems more like a Puritanical purge of "vices" rather than any sort of scientifically backed policy.

I have a strong dislike, in normal terms, for the actions of Public Health officers generally, as puritanism (and hypocrisy, as they rarely apply those things to their own lives) are their normal modus operandi.

 

[scotrail158713]

I also got the impression that she has finally abandoned the "elimination" strategy?

I think so. She said something along the lines of “we have to learn to balance the health and economic effects, whilst living with the virus”.

 

[HSTEd]

I can't help but think this will put the nail in the coffin for many venues. It seems it's basically a deterrent to stop people going to the boozer, without the SG being shamed for "shutting pubs again".

The people of Scotland should instead remain at home contemplating the glory of her will and how they live only to serve her.

 

[Mag_seven]

She said - if the subtitles were right - that this is advisory and not mandatory, though.

OK I know she is Scottish but do you need subtitles to understand what she is saying?

 

[bramling]

I think so. She said something along the lines of “we have to learn to balance the health and economic effects, whilst living with the virus”.

She just made a rather telling comment about budget being “finite”.

 

[HSTEd]

She just made a rather telling comment about budget being “finite”.

Yes, because the evil English won't give her unlimited money, so Scotland should be independent.
Fairly standard attack line from her.

 

[trebor79]

I see lots of negative reaction to this on social media.
If Boris has any nous whatsoever, now is the moment he stops copying Queen Nicola and let's the Scottish administration dig a grave for its independence campaign.
"Now then Nicola, about that referendum you wanted..."

 

[kristiang85]

Seems like non-licensed places can open - does that mean it's still a go for places like Starbucks, Greggs & McDonalds?

Yep, all the places that can afford a bit of a downturn in business... unlike independent pubs and bars, which are probably going to be closed in huge numbers now.

Let's hope Boris doesn't follow this with similar measures for the North of England. It would be devastating.

At least all the comments I'm seeing on social media are overwhelmingly negative about it. Hopefully governments will see people are getting fed up.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

I also got the impression that she has finally abandoned the "elimination" strategy?

Unfortunately the Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie is pushing for a New Zealand eliminaton strategy.

Welp, that's another party I won't be voting for next year!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

OK I know she is Scottish but do you need subtitles to understand what she is saying?

Yes, because I'm cloth eared...

I think so. She said something along the lines of “we have to learn to balance the health and economic effects, whilst living with the virus”.

Doesn't this recognition of reality also somewhat guarantee that she has now backed Johnson into an even smaller corner than the one he was already in?

 

[big_rig]

I think so. She said something along the lines of “we have to learn to balance the health and economic effects, whilst living with the virus”.

I also thought this, but this if from the Guardian blog. This of course supposes she knows what she is on about.

"In response to a question from the Lib Dem leader in the Scottish parliament, Sturgeon said she was still committed to a strategy of eliminating the virus. She said all four nations of the UK wanted to suppress it."

Scotland cancels National 5 exams amid new restrictions; UK sees 14,162 more cases – as it happened

National 5 exams cancelled next year for Scottish pupils; new measures brought in for Scotland; new cases in UK down very slightly

www.theguardian.com

 

[oldman]

Has she said the evidence behind her decision and what she expects this to achieve?

They have published a detailed note from the medical officer.

the R value is currently higher in Scotland [than other parts of Britain].

This is the rationale

A temporary set of more comprehensive restrictions across the central belt, which is responsible for 75% of positive tests for a defined period should have the impact of reducing the value of R further [sic] and also the infectious pool within the population. While this temporary intervention is made it allows time for a range of further measures to improve compliance and mitigation to be put in place, across the entire country, enabling continued suppression of the infectious pool.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They have published a detailed note from the medical officer.

Summarised as:
1. Here's a load of stats
2. We think schools/universities are at the root of the problem
3. But we're going to shut pubs because that might work

Seriously?

This needs reporting as a scandal in the Press. If schools and universities are the problem, and it seems clear to me that they are, then we need to look at those and how we can make them not be a problem.

 

[DB]

If schools and universities are the problem, and it seems clear to me that they are, then we need to look at those and how we can make them not be a problem.

Or just accept that it's unavoidable, and advise kids/students to avoid coming into contact with people at risk, where possible, for the next month or two.