Scotland makes its own lockdown decision

If Scotland is at a different stage to the rest of the UK, should we ease lockdown at a different rate? I have no Nationalist agenda here, but I do think we might be in a very different place to the south of England - my fear is if the U.K. govt opens up too soon to save the economy, we may not be allowed to wait. Can we stop people crossing the border if necessary? Or have checks ? Scotland could be the number one holiday destination this year if flights are still cancelled - it could spell disaster for older people in tourist hotspots.

Why the contribution is important

We have a govt in Edinburgh to make health decisions for the people here - let them make their own judgment based on the scientific evidence and not be bullied into going along with the rest of the UK.

by Rachael2312 on May 05, 2020 at 05:42PM

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Average rating: 3.4
Based on: 46 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Ritchie486 May 05, 2020 at 17:51

    If need be i would agree, however NS said today she estimates 26000 people currently have virus. You cant shut down a country on an estimate. Its shambolic in Scotland right now.

  • Posted by margarett May 05, 2020 at 17:52

    The Scottish Government must do what they think is best for the people of Scotland, no political agenda, I agree with another 3 weeks of the current measures, although I too am missing family and friends but we’ve come this far .

  • Posted by Ruth May 05, 2020 at 17:57

    I agree. We can't close the border but we can maybe allow lorries through, stop and temperature check cars and ask people why they are visiting...and be very clear that although we love tourists we are not currently accommodating them just now.

  • Posted by Ruth May 05, 2020 at 17:58

    I agree. We can't close the border but we can maybe allow lorries through, stop and temperature check cars and ask people why they are visiting...and be very clear that although we love tourists we are not currently accommodating them just now.

  • Posted by slf May 05, 2020 at 17:59

    It's a great idea Scotland making it's own decisions about how it deals with coronavirus. One big problem. We don't have control over our own borders. Another issue is the media at the moment taking the side of the uk government above everything else.

  • Posted by Louisasneezer May 05, 2020 at 18:02

    Based on a recent briefing by ScotGov I was of the understanding that Scotland’s rate of infection is higher than most of rUK? And the restrictions of essential travel and natural distance between large English and Scottish towns should limit transfer ‘across the border’.

  • Posted by Jayfer May 05, 2020 at 18:28

    I'm sorry but I want @scotgov to continue making decisions for Scotland, if there is any chaos here it's caused by media not reporting when a decision is for England and muddying the message that scotgov gives. I watch the briefing so I'm not confused. But older ppl who perhaps don't see it get their message via MSM an newspapers who don't give same clarity to FM message

  • Posted by anniemay May 05, 2020 at 18:43

    I would agree that Scotland needs to make decisions and take actions relevant to Scotland, even if this differs from the rest of the UK. I live in the Grampian region, and it appears that the North East of Scotland is still two weeks away from the peak of the virus ... quite a few weeks behind the south of England. A blanket approach cannot be taken, given the geographic and demographic differences not only in Scotland, but in the whole of the UK. I personally believe the Scottish Govt has had a much more consistent, open and coherent approach to dealing with this crisis and will continue to be guided by their briefings.

  • Posted by Colette May 05, 2020 at 18:44

    If Scotland lags behind the U.K. in easing restrictions, I think it would be difficult to enforce. People are already starting to flout the rules.

  • Posted by Salsagran May 05, 2020 at 19:59

    We went into this together and it's confusing if we don't come out of it together. Italy had infection in the north first then it travelled south. Whole country came out same time. Up until today they had higher death rate than uk. Our death rate has probably been made worse by successive underfunding and a lack of PPE. Unfortunately a lot of the current deaths are a direct result of this in the care home sector. How do you patrol a large border? We don't have enough police to do that. The roads are already getting busier people are not adhering already as much as they were before. If England eases lockdown more people will use cars in Scotland. Fatigue has set in you are asking us to lockdown longer than anywhere else. Not sure that's a good idea.

  • Posted by Itsjustmehere May 06, 2020 at 20:24

    The Scottish government need to make decisions for Scotland. If ever there was a case for another Independence referendum .....as a previous no voter, I have certainly been very impressed with NS leadership and i really regret my previous decision. The Scottish government need to make decisions for Scotland.

  • Posted by Kylesku May 06, 2020 at 20:43

    There needs to be a beter understanding of risk management by the politicians. I cringe when i hear statement like "we cant afford to take any risk" or "one death from the virus is one too many" Why is there no fuss every winter when thousands die from seasona flu ? We seem to accept this Thousands of us are killed on the roads every year but we all all happy to risk driving a car. Life is all about balancing risks
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