Lockdown route map: Borders politicians give their views

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon outlined the proposals on Tuesday (February 23), saying “these measures are initial steps on a slow, but hopefully steady, route back to much greater normality”.

The Scottish Government’s route map, covering March and April, gives some target dates for easing restrictions.

From March 15, it is hoped that P4-P7 pupils will be able to return to classrooms, along with more senior pupils – and from April 5, the aim is for all pupils to return.

Ms Sturgeon also highlighted April 26 as the target date for the reopening of non-essential shops, hairdressers, leisure centres, and pubs and restaurants.

The First Minister said that although the plans are cautious, there is a possibility that changes in data could speed up the movement out of lockdown.

The Border Telegraph and the Peeblesshire News have gathered some reactions from Borders politicians – and their statements are published below.

Shona Haslam – councillor (Conservative) for Tweeddale East and leader of Scottish Borders Council

 

"This isn't a route map out of lockdown, it is a road to nowhere.

"The Prime Minster set out a clear roadmap that gave hope and certainty to the public and to business.

"In Scotland the First Minister has given us none of that, we have vague ideas of what might happen towards the end of April, but no plan forward from there.

"I have been contacted by a number of businesses asking for clarification and I have none to give. It is a shambles and a disgrace.

"We need hope, we need clarity and we need a proper roadmap back to normality."

Christine Grahame – MSP (SNP) for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale

 

"While the entire country is desperate for a return to a degree of normality in our day-to-day lives – and I include myself in that – we must also accept that the COVID situation is still serious and we need to continue to minimise further spread of the virus.

"As the vaccination programme progresses, a return to more variable levels of restrictions ... is likely but only when it is safe to do so.

"Unfortunately that means current restrictions remain in place for now. To raise these restrictions too early and too quickly risks jeopardising the huge advances made through the sacrifices of everyone across Scotland.

"While the Scottish Government wishes the situation was otherwise, a cautious approach is the correct way to proceed to save lives and to protect the NHS.

"But rest assured, the Scottish Government is committed to relaxing restrictions as soon as it is deemed appropriate to do so.

"The people of Scotland have made great sacrifices so far and they are asked to continue to show admirable and essential patience for a few weeks longer.

"The updated Strategic Framework sets out how we will seek to accelerate the easing of restrictions to restore, on a phased basis, greater normality.

"If progress in suppressing the virus and vaccinating key groups remains on track, we will look at progressive easing of restrictions.

"If all goes according to plan, we will move fully back to a levels system from the last week in April.

"From the last week of April we would expect to see phased but significant re-opening of the economy, including non-essential retail, hospitality and services like gyms and hairdressers.

"The immediate priority will continue to be the phased return of education, with the next phase of school returns with the rest of the primary school years, P4 to P7, and more senior phase secondary pupils back in the classroom.

"And the limit on outdoor mixing between households can increase to four people from a maximum of two households.

"Then, a minimum of three weeks after that, we hope that the stay at home restriction will be lifted, and any final school returns to take place. Communal worship will also restart around 5 April, with limited numbers to begin with, and we will also take account of the timing of major religious festivals.

"Restrictions on outdoor gatherings could be further relaxed so that six people from two households can meet together outdoors.

"This phase would also see the re-opening of retail, starting with an extension of the definition of essential retail and the removal of restrictions on click-and collect.

"Then, three weeks after that – from 26 April, if the data allows it, we will return to a levels approach with all of Scotland hopefully moving to at least level 3, with some possible adjustments.

"From the last week of April we would expect to see a more substantial re-opening of the economy.

"There is likely to be a gap of at least three weeks between each easing of restrictions which will be used to assess the impact of changes, and to check that it is safe to proceed.

"Financial support will continue to be available to businesses as we emerge from lockdown.

"This includes the ongoing commitment to fund the Strategic Framework Business Fund and to provide Level 4 payments for an additional month once businesses are moved down a level."

John Lamont – MP (Conservative) for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

 

“It is good to have some clarity about what the next 8 weeks or so is going to look like.

“However, I am sure I am not the only one who would have liked to have a bit more information for what happens after that.

“There are obviously lots of unknowns, but people appreciate having time to plan, even if it is subject to change.

“Tourism businesses need to be able to plan for when they can reopen. People need to be given some sort of idea of what their wedding might look like. Individuals need to know when they will be returning to work.

“Most of all, people want to have some sort of idea about when they will be able to visit family and hug their loved ones for the first time in over a year.

"The SNP Government seemed able to give us a road map to another independence referendum but what we wanted was a road map out of lockdown.”

Heather Anderson – councillor (SNP) for Tweeddale West

 

"Many, many parents in Peebles will have been relieved to see Primaries 1, 2 and 3 return to school on Monday 22 February.

"We know that families have done an amazing job of trying to ensure home schooling has been delivered, but no-one underestimates the strain this puts on parents who may also be trying to work from home.

"We also know that tens of thousands of people in the Borders have now received their first jabs and the council has continued to provide support to many businesses. We are getting through this, the rate of infection has fallen.

"We now all know that the last week of April is our target date for the opening of shops, bars, restaurants, gyms and hairdressers in Scotland.

"All of us welcome this and although the progressive easing of restrictions can’t come quickly enough for many of us, we know we have to get this right.

"We now understand how virulent this virus is and how quickly it can regain the upper hand, and none of us want to be back where we were in January this year.

"So, yes, it’s a slow and cautious easing, but we need to check the impact of every restriction we lift, and that takes time.

"In a couple of weeks 4 people from two households can meet outside and more young people will be back in school.

"It’s worth being cautious, we have to gather the data and then make the right decision.

"We are nearly there, let’s all keep following the rules and get through March and April safely."

Rachael Hamilton – MSP (Conservative) for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire

 

The statement [on February 23] was disappointing to say the least, after the optimistic and detailed plan from the Prime Minister yesterday.

“I asked the First Minister why she has not given us a definitive date for a return to normality, such as the 21st June set out for England.

“We’re still in the dark about when measures like social distancing will end, and when people will be able to visit their loved ones again.

“This matters to people, and we saw very little detail on the tiered system due to be brought back later in April.

“[The] announcement didn’t provide certainty, it is merely a thin document that does not provide the public with the clarity we saw from the Prime Minister.

“I don’t think anyone assumed that today we would see restrictions lifting quickly nor any time soon, but Sturgeon failed even to give certainty beyond April”.

David Mundell – MP (Conservative) for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale

 

There is huge disappointment at the lack of clarity from the First Minister on how and when we will emerge from lockdown in the coming weeks and months.

"This was particularly evident in areas like Tweeddale where tourism is a major employer and a vital part of the local economy.

"It is worrying when business leaders like Stephen Leckie, chief executive of the Peebles Hydro and other hotels, have publicly highlighted the huge difficulties many in the sector are facing.

"They need an earlier realistic target date for reopening in order to maintain jobs and a sustainable recovery.

"The challenges of the pandemic should not be understated but there has been remarkable progress with vaccination and testing and I would urge the First Minister to swiftly look at producing a more detailed routemap."