LIBDEM MSP Mike Rumbles branded Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement of a travel ban “draconian in the truest sense of the word”.
Unveiling changes to local restrictions across Scotland, the First Minister said that guidance in place in recent weeks – not to travel out of or into areas in level 3 or level 4 – will become enforceable from Friday.
She warned that, if travel between high and low-level areas continued, those latter areas could see an increase in restrictions as a result.
Rumbles hit out at the move. He said: “Does (the First Minister) not understand that these draconian changes in law ... should be a decision not made by her alone ... but by parliament before such measures can come into effect?” The North East MSP asked the First Minister to allow MSPs to debate and vote on the changes before they become law. The First Minister said the Scottish Government was “keen” to allow MSPs approve regulations before they come into force.
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She added there were restrictions on travel in England and Wales as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Assistant chief constable Alan Speirs asked people to “take personal responsibility” over the new restrictions, adding that his officers will not be stopping cars or setting up roadblocks to enforce the rules. He said: “People have been exceptionally quick to act when new restrictions are introduced. The mandatory wearing of face coverings in shops is evidence of this. Scotland is, generally, a law-abiding nation and I fully expect that public support to continue as these new measures are introduced.”
Speirs added: “However, officers may in the course of their duties come across people who are travelling from one local authority area to another. In areas where travel restrictions apply, officers will continue to use the common sense, discretion and excellent judgement that they have applied since the crisis began.” Meanwhile, business groups warned the level 4 move for 11 council areas “was the worst possible news”.
Colin Wilkinson, managing director of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, which represents bars and pubs, said: “This is the worst possible news for the licensed hospitality industry and there will be many operators who will now be seriously considering if their businesses have a future at all – that’s how serious the situation is.
“Many operators in levels 2 and 3 areas have already taken the reluctant decision to close down their businesses as it is unviable to operate with the current restrictions on the sale of alcohol and the operating times that are currently in place. Even hotels and restaurants serving food feel defeated by these unnecessarily complex and ever-changing guidelines.
“Moving into level 4 suggests that the closing of pubs and bars in October in five health board areas, prior to the introduction of the tier system, has done little to bring down the rate of Covid-19 infections.”
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He added: “Yet again, there has been no meaningful engagement with our industry and there has been no evidence to prove the virus is being spread within the licensed hospitality sector.
“Closing these businesses ... brings additional immediate costs for operators with the cost of closing a small wet pub around £2000, a medium food pub around £6000, and a large pub between £8000 to £10,000.”
Liz Cameron, of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “The economy has been dealt another blow today. Returning to lockdown makes Christmas an increasingly bleak prospect, particularly for those people and their families whose jobs rely on businesses being able to trade.”
Teachers have called for a return to blended learning for pupils in level 4 areas. The First Minister said keeping schools open was a priority, but Larry Flanagan from the EIS teaching union said schools in these areas should be allowed to implement blended or remote learning contingency measures.
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