The First Minister and Police Scotland’s chief constable have urged Scots to see the bells in at home this year.
While the strict coronavirus restrictions are set to be relaxed over Christmas, between December 23 to December 27, the rules against mass gatherings will be firmly back in place for Hogmanay.
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Speaking at the Scottish Government's daily coronavirus briefing, Nicola Sturgeon said: “We’ll all be glad to see the back of 2020 but I think it’s really important we celebrate the end of this year safely within our own homes and households to make sure 2021 can be the brighter year that we all want it to be.”
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “The key thing is for people to keep on doing the right thing.
“We’ve asked them repeatedly, our fellow citizens … you should not be gathering in large groups and the same applies and still applies as we go into 2021.”
He added: “The truth of the matter is that the vast, vast majority of people understand the reason for not following their normal habits and we have and continue to engage and work with our fellow citizens explain the reasons behind the regulations.
“It’s the public health imperative to do the right thing, to encourage each other, encourage your neighbours, encourage your family to do the right thing.”
Officers will be stationed in “large public spaces”, the chief constable said, to ensure gatherings do not take place in town and city centres to ring in the new year.
He said: “We will be in a position to continue to support the people to do the right thing as we go into 2021.”
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