Edinburgh reacts to news that Scotland’s Christmas relaxation will be abandoned

Edinburgh Evening News readers have reacted strongly to the news that the Scottish Government will abandon its planned relaxation of restrictions over Christmas.

In an extraordinary press conference this afternoon, Ms Sturgeon said travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK would be banned, after a surge of cases of a new coronavirus strain, which spreads up to 70 per cent faster than other versions, in South Wales, London, and Southeast England.

You can read full details of the changes here.

Readers React

Edinburgh Evening News readers have reacted strongly to the news that the Scottish Government will abandon its planned relaxation of restrictions over Christmas. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Steve Bell wrote: “This is serious. We know nothing about [the new strain]...If the vaccine becomes ineffective or it becomes more life threatening we are back to square one.”

Raymond Rose praised the decision, writing: “Well done Scottish Government for moving so quickly and decisively to minimise the spread of new variant Covid-19.

“These stringent restrictions are unfortunate, but absolutely necessary and are bravely taken by an administration that's learned the lessons from earlier in the year with temerity.”

Lynn Roose just wrote simply: “Well done Nicola.”

But Kathy Aliberti was less pleased, writing: “Well done on punishing every single key worker working on Christmas day. What a nice reward for their efforts.”

Ian Mountford added: “Scientists and opposition parties were calling for all of this over a week ago. Our governments are inept.”

And Lee Dailly demanded to see the statistics behind the Scottish Government’s decision. “Today's [coronavirus figures] were lower than the last couple of weeks,” he said, “She just copies everything that Boris does.”

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