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The decision to lift the strict coronavirus rules for five days during Christmas is an “act of madness” that could cause the disease to spiral out of control, a SNP politician said today.
The stern warning followed an agreement to allow travel throughout the UK, regardless of the level of blockade each area is in at the time.
Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon backed the plan, but told people to “think carefully” before meeting with family and loved ones.
Up to three households can meet in one house, outdoors, or in a place of worship in a so-called “bubble.”
The rules will be relaxed between December 23 and 27 and will not be repeated for the new year.
(Image: PA)
Governments across the UK have been under intense pressure to agree to a relaxation, but it comes with more than two million Scots under the highest level four restrictions, and it fears infection levels are not dropping fast enough.
In a harsh criticism of the plan, SNP councilor Chris McEleny said his party leadership was wrong.
“It is understandable that at Christmas, particularly with how difficult this year has been, families want to spend time with their loved ones and loved ones,” he said.
“Facilitating a five-day spread of the virus by easing Covid restrictions can only be described as an act of insanity that will undermine the ability of elected representatives to sell future public health measures, which will surely be needed in the new year as result of this decision.
“This decision will not save lives and it will not protect the NHS. The Scottish government should have rejected the UK government’s wish for a Four Nations approach in this case.”
McEleny, an elected member in Inverclyde, suggested that it would have been better to allow people living alone to visit someone only on Christmas Day, or to allow two households to meet “at once.”
He added: ‘Allowing three households to come together, traveling from across the UK, over a five day period, will open the floodgates to allow the virus to get completely out of control and will ultimately lead to a further harmful lockdown on the new Year.”
Confirming the rules yesterday, Sturgeon seemed to have his own strong reservations.
“Before communicating with your friends and family, think carefully about whether you need to form a bubble,” he said.
“Just because you can mix with others indoors during this time, doesn’t mean you have to. If you choose to follow the rules as they are, then you will continue the hard work to beat this virus and prevent its spread to older people. and vulnerable.
“We have all sacrificed a lot since the early days of 2020 to keep our friends and family safe.
“So much so, that throwing away the progress we have made to keep Covid-19 out of our doors, just when a way out of this crisis seems to be looming, would be irresponsible and could have tragic consequences.”
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