'A good decision, that is right for Scotland' - Edinburgh readers react after Nicola Sturgeon announces full lockdown

Hundreds of Edinburgh Evening News readers expressed a mixture of anger and respect for the First Minister of Scotland’s latest coronavirus rules.

A boarded-up restaurant in Edinburgh has been painted with a message supporting the NHS as the lockdown continues (Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

Standing in Parliament this afternoon, Nicola Sturgeon announced that mainland Scotland is to go into a full lockdown – similar to the one imposed in March 2020 – from January 5.

Readers have since reacted to the tightening of measures which include a new law on urging Scots to stay at home unless they are required to leave for essential purposes.

Reader Derek Grieve said while he does not believe lockdowns are fully effective in curbing cases, he believes it needs to be imposed and that the government should enforce harsher punishments for those flouting Covid regulations.

He said: “It won’t make the slightest difference as no-one will follow the guidelines anyway, but, that being said, it needs to be done and preferably with a harsher punishment for those not adhering to the guidelines.”

Reader Pauline Orr said she was in favour of a tighter lockdown and also demanded larger penalties for those not following government rules.

“I absolutely agree with it,” she said, “however tougher measures should be taken on those flouting the rules.”

Steve Ramsay said: “We need stronger enforcement - we are going in and out of lockdown and up and down the tiers because the rules are not being followed.

"Far too many tin foil hat brigades and people ignoring rules because their hairdresser said it was okay.

"If we did it hard and strict first time with mass compliance we might not be in this situation now.”

Reader Raymond Rose said: “A full legally binding lockdown, unfortunate, but absolutely necessary.

"A good decision, that is right for Scotland, lets hope the rest of UK follows suite.”

Yet others were quick to criticise Nicola Sturgeon’s latest announcement on Covid-19 regulations for the country.

Tom Kerr claims lockdowns have not worked for preventing further spread of the virus.

"None of these have worked so far,” he said. "Shelter the unwell and vulnerable and let the rest of us get on with it.”

Emma Louie shared her financial concerns after hearing news of yet another lockdown for the country.

She said: “I can't afford to keep getting furloughed, I will be homeless at this rate, and unemployed along with others who have had to suffer.”

Amanda Clegg criticised Nicola Sturgeon’s latest announcement that schools will not return officially until February.

She said: “Not allowed to go to school but can go out and play in unlimited group if under 11 years old. Bloody joke.”

Shaw Miller also described the new lockdown as “a joke” and said that all children should be allowed to be in school.

Others criticised the government for relaxing rules over the festive period describing the move as “madness” during a pandemic.

Reader Sue Inglis said: “The result of Holyrood’s failure to enforce the rules from an early stage to discourage people from breaking the rules and for allowing the relaxation at Christmas in face of the rapidly changing situation. Allowing larger gatherings such as church services to go ahead with the inevitable mixing of multiple households was just madness.”

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