After the new Covid rules were announced, The Herald reported that the Scottish government was accused of implementing a “sneaky lockdown”. People in Scotland have been asked to limit social interaction with three households at a time in the run-up to Christmas.
Curbs were brought in to save Christmas, according to the Daily Record. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Holyrood the advice would not apply on Christmas Day and the plans should not be cancelled. But she said people should reduce their social ties to other households “as far as possible”.
I said that Miss Sturgeon called for a “careful Christmas”. “Before and right after Christmas, minimize socializing with other households as much as possible,” she said. The first minister added that people should try to keep their celebrations “as small as your family circumstances allow” although the new guidance does not apply on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Gift day.
The Telegraph reports that guidelines limiting social mixing to three households will have no legal effect, but Nicola Sturgeon said people should reduce their social ties to households other “the more the better”.
The National highlighted FM’s insistence that she would not cancel Christmas. She told MSPs: “I want to be clear: I’m not asking anyone to cancel Christmas, but I’m asking everyone, before Christmas and immediately after, to reduce as much as possible – to the maximum extent possible. minimal – the contacts we have with people from other households.”
A guide to the three households also appears on the Metro’s front page.
The announcement that people should reduce their social relationships with other households “as far as possible” in the run-up to Christmas also led the Daily Express.
The Daily Star uses a pun for its title – “Nicola wants three”. The article tells its readers to “stick with making the drink…don’t mix it with other people”.
A festive pun is also The Sun’s title – “Oh Christmas tree” – while noting that the first minister has backed away from “major legal rules”. Guidelines on social mixing will not have legal effect, but Ms Sturgeon warned: “While it is a guideline, please don’t think of it as optional.” However, there is a legal requirement for employers to allow employees to work from home where possible.
Scots are focused on impact on hospitality, with shops and hospitality venues being asked to bring physical and screen difference.
Keeping Christmas Small is a message from the Scottish Daily Mail. Its title is: “Wishing you a Merry Christmas”.
The Times’ calculations suggest that more than a million people could be isolated from the coronavirus on Christmas Day given the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. It cited a “disappointing” presentation to top ministers by Professor Chris Whitty, Britain’s chief medical officer, who warned of a “very sharp increase” in Omicron cases and that the Comfort should not be drawn from the suggestion that stress is less severe or from the “unreliable hope” that infections are peaking in South Africa.
Newspapers and Magazines report that business leaders are branding new work from family law and Covid restrictions as a “backdoor lock,” warning that without support immediate assistance, they would pose an “existential threat” to Scotland’s city centres.
The Edinburgh Evening News says pubs and restaurants have been warned they face a worse Christmas than last year, with many fearing they will shut down after more than 18 months of hiatus.
The Courier reports that Perth headquarters jobs at bus giant Stagecoach are at risk, under a planned takeover by transport rival National Express. The merger was supported by Stagecoach co-founder Sir Brian Souter, who remains a major shareholder.
The Glasgow Times reported that a man “terrified” two young women after he “followed them around Glasgow while staring at them on several occasions”.
Dundee’s Evening Telegraph reports that a man has been hospitalized after being allegedly assaulted.
Aberdeen player Funso Ojo has been charged in connection with allegedly assaulting a fan after the game against Dundee United, according to the Evening Express.
Related Internet Links
BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
