Readers react to the announcement that Edinburgh will be remaining in level three

The First Minister announced in the Scottish Parliament today that the City of Edinburgh will be remaining in level three.

Despite “detailed discussions” on lowering the City of Edinburgh to level two, the decision has been taken to keep it as it is.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Edinburgh is currently recording 68 cases per hundred thousand people, which is below the Scotland-wide figure of 99. Its test positivity levels are also relatively low.

Edinburgh will be remaining in level three.

“However, cases in Edinburgh have risen slightly in recent days There seems also to have been an increase in East Lothian and Midlothian.

She added: “The imminence of the Christmas period has also had an impact on our thinking. A move to level two in Edinburgh, would mean opening up significantly more services in Scotland’s second biggest city in the two weeks before Christmas.

"That move would carry significant risk of increased transmission.”

Readers of the Edinburgh Evening News took to social media to express their opinions of this decision with Sarah Clark saying: “Not really surprised I can understand the reasons behind it.”

Jennifer Angelosanto agreed, saying: “Guys, she’s just trying to save lives.”

Claire A A Eadie added: “Edinburgh sufferers because people can't be trusted” while Jbrown JB commented: “WISE decision, numbers are still rising in Edinburgh, prevention is better than cure.”

However, not all readers were impressed by the news, with Stewart Howie commenting: “This shameful treatment of Edinburgh's hospitality sector has to be remembered at next year's elections.”

Another person added: “Makes no difference to me personally but I feel she’s now playing with people’s livelihoods!”

Martha Spence said: “Disgusting we have half the cases of Glasgow but in the same tier we are now going into 8 weeks half of Edinburgh business will go under.”

Grant Gilbie concluded: “SHOCKING that the only reason she is keeping Edinburgh in level 3 is cause she scared level 2 will mean Edinburgh gets really busy, so all the people of Edinburgh put in the hard work and behave and we SUFFER because people will visit.”

There are 11 authorities across Scotland moving down from level four to level three, and Inverclyde, Angus and Falkirk will be moving down from level three to level two.

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