'Thank you, Nicola Sturgeon' - readers react to announcement of lockdown extension

Our readers have been reacting to the lockdown extension that was announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at a press conference on Thursday.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced at a press conference that she will be extending the lockdown guidelines

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced at a press conference that she will be extending the lockdown guidelines, saying that any “significant easing up of restrictions would be very very risky”.

This decision contradicts the UK Government who have indicated that they will start relaxing measures in England from Monday onwards.

Here’s how some Edinburgh Evening News readers reacted to the news on social media.

Aisha Moohan said: “Thank you First Minister for not allowing yourself (or the population of Scotland) to be pressured into any necessary decisions regarding covid-19 and the safety and well-being of Scots.”

Louise Wilson wrote: “People are not listening, they are doing as they please. I don’t disagree with the lockdown, but when you see these people doing as they please and putting everyone at risk why, should I sit in my house? My first grandchild was born 11 days ago and I can’t even hold her. I have cried for days and am really starting to get angry when I see others exploiting the lockdown.”

Samantha Reed wrote: “As a English person living in Scotland, I for one am pleased Scotland is staying on lockdown. I think England has got it very wrong. She is just trying to put people first. We are a few weeks behind England, it makes sense to carry on with what we are doing to beat this. I am missing my sons who don’t live with me, my children are missing their grandparents, friends and older brothers. But it's three more weeks of our lives.”

Martin Safdar said: “I for one will be the first out the door. As being self employed ZERO INCOME. Absolutely no help but expected to sit about penniless till further notice. Not a hope in hell. Back to work Monday!!!!!”

Emma Pirie wrote: “The main problem in all of this in short is that... people are breaking lockdown. Simple as that!! The longer people break the rules the higher the numbers and the longer in lockdown. So those breaking these rules may need to have a think that those like myself are on the frontline and desperate to see family. You may just follow advice for the sake of the country!”

Bryan Kinsella said: “So yesterday I was woken by the gardener cutting the grass outside my flat at 8am and again today by another gardener at the other side of the street doing the same, they are back to work, also went for food and passed a small coffee shop on a corner which was open and people inside all standing waiting on coffee? I passed a park and stopped to count up to over 70 people sitting, lying down or playing football in the park, some drinking, people sitting with young kids maybe aged 2 or 3, lockdown?? Confused?? People are doing what they want.”

Karolina Dolata-Kowalczyk wrote: “Absolute joke. We should start getting to normal life like other countries now. And she should start slowly to lift the lockdown. People need to go back to work.”

Christopher Wight said: “We should be doing this as one country, the rest of the world is slowly going back to normal while we still stay lockdown. I don't see why we can't ease some of the restrictions i.e. unlimited exercise and trips into the country etc.”

Emily Jane Schoppler said: “Should be working together as a nation, not point scoring on who can do what first and get the vaccine first etc. Maybe if all the heads were put together on this occasion we might actually get somewhere. Lockdown is horrendous but we have to do what's right, so a second wave doesn't occur and as a NATION not separate to our own countries as Scotland is still part of Great Britain as is Wales and NI (popular opinion or not it's a fact). Very embarrassing to the eyes of the rest of the world.”

Clare Leadbetter Browne said: “Thank you Nicola Sturgeon for doing what's best for Scotland”.

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