Round-up of reaction to Scotland's lockdown

The chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce has urged local authorities to speed up the release of government funding following news lockdown will remain in place until the end of February at least.

 

Dr Liz Cameron who leads the group of more than 12,000 members, said the confirmation last Tuesday that lockdown would continue was unsurprising, but said many businesses would be 'disappointed' non-essential shops would remain closed - given the 'immense investment' they had made to ensure safety for staff and customers.

 

She said: 'We continue to urge the Scottish Government, local authorities and agencies to speed up the release of vital business support funds.

 

'This is essential to provide cashflow support to businesses that have been forced to close. Ultimately, the best route to support the economy is to re-open.

 

'That’s why we urgently need an economic roadmap to recovery that outlines clear conditions and timelines for reopening sectors of the economy if we are to protect businesses and jobs.'

 

Commenting on the announcement, Maree Todd, an SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said the 'steady decrease' in daily cases showed lockdown is working.

 

'This virus continues to pose real risks to health and to life and we know that if given the opportunity, the virus can quickly spread and take hold again. Our progress is reliant on adherence to restrictions, so we’ve got to stick with it.'

 

She added: 'I know how difficult the last year has been for people throughout the Highlands, but we can take comfort in knowing the vaccine roll-out is well under way.

 

'As of January 31, 42,755 first dose vaccinations have been completed in the NHS Highland area, including 100 per cent of care homes.

 

'Well done to our excellent team of vaccinators across the Highlands who are working at pace to get the vaccine into people’s arms.'

 

However, Donald Cameron MSP, the shadow health secretary for the Conservative opposition, said the vaccination programme was a 'growing cause for concern'.

 

Mr Cameron, a Highlands and Islands MSP, said the target date for all over-70s to receive a vaccination letter had 'slipped by a week' and Scotland was 'lagging considerably behind' the rest of the UK.

 

'It is very concerning the Scottish Government is failing to meet even its own targets,' said Mr Cameron. 'I accept this is not a race, but the longer it takes to get the vaccine out to our communities, the greater the risk of further transmissions or of the virus mutating into new, more virulent forms.'

 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the government was making good progress in protecting those most at risk.

 

She told parliament: 'We have been deliberately trying to achieve as high an uptake as possible in the top priority groups and we believe we are achieving a higher uptake than elsewhere.

 

'For example, we haven’t just offered vaccination to all older people in care homes – we have achieved an actual uptake of 98 per cent amongst residents and 88 per cent amongst staff working in older people’s care homes.

 

'That really matters in terms of reducing the burden of illness and deaths.'

 

She said the uptake amongst the over-80s group was 'closer to 90 per cent'.

 

'These uptake figures are way beyond anything achieved in the flu vaccine programme. Vaccinating the most vulnerable to the greatest extent possible is really important, even if it takes more time to do so,' she said.