Coronavirus Christmas: Our readers react to Jason Leitch's warning of a possible 'digital Christmas'

Scotland’s National Clinical Director has warned that Scotland will not be facing a normal Christmas this year, and has said that people should be prepared for a ‘digital Christmas’.

Professor Jason Leitch’s comments were backed by Nicola Sturgeon at her daily press conference on Thursday.

She said: “This is tough stuff. Jason Leitch is trying to be frank with people about the reality we live in and not prematurely rule things out but equally not try to give people false assurance, it’s difficult balance.

“The more chance we stick to these rules, the more chance we can do that.

Our readers react to Jason Leitch's comments on a 'digital Christmas.'

“Christmas this year, probably for no country anywhere, is going to be absolutely normal without restrictions.

“I could stand here and tell you otherwise but that’s not the right approach."

We asked our readers what they thought about what they thought their Christmas might look like and hundreds responded.

Linda Scott said: “I am on my own and usually go to Yorkshire to my cousin for Xmas and new year but because of the rules just now , I've cancelled so it will be me and the dog. I think we should all follow the rules and help to get rid of covid.”

Sam Henderson added: “Hope it’s times like this where all those people who have breached the rules several times realise their actions mean some veterans are by them self and many other people who should have love and family during the Christmas time.”

Paul Burgess points out: “Don't remember any fuss when Muslims couldn't celebrate the end of Ramadan during the lockdown. Its been tough for everyone” and John Ovens said: “Christmas is just another day, we can still do zoom calls to family and loved ones, I sure if you were to visit a loved one at Christmas and the catch Covid they will wish you never.”

However, not all of our readers thought the restriction warning was necessary.

Margaret Wood said: “We need to have some family time at Christmas, having too many restrictions at Christmas won't work anyway. A lot of people have complied well with restrictions so please don't target these people at Christmas.”

Julie Rouse Macleod agreed, saying: “Well I will be celebrating with family that’s for sure after the year we have all had.”

Alicia Mckellar commented: “As much as I am supporting Nicola and I understand where's coming from with all restrictions that ain't going to happen. That's my baby's first Christmas and he will not see his grandparents!? I don't think so.…” and William Dow warns: “Be prepared for mass protests if this idiotic restriction is imposed.”

When talking about Christmas during her press conference, the First Minister confirmed that Santa was an essential worker, and these restrictions will not stop him bringing children presents this year.

Current restrictions in Scotland mean that households cannot mix indoors, and only two households with under six adults can mix outdoors.

On Thursday, 1,712 new cases of coronavirus were recorded in the last 24 hours and tragically 17 people died after testing positive.

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