Lanarkshire facing toughest level of restrictions in new coronavirus tier system
A leaked document suggests North and South Lanarkshire could be in tier 4, with the rest of Glasgow and the west at tier 3
North and South Lanarkshire could be set for the toughest level of coronavirus restrictions when the Scottish Government’s new tier system comes into force, according to a leaked report.
Level four of the system would see measures close to the full lockdown implemented in March, with all hospitality venues and non-essential shops forced to close.
The rest of Glasgow and the west would be in the third tier – meaning restrictions at a similar level to those currently in place across the central belt.
Tomorrow, the Scottish government will lay out which areas will subject to the new coronavirus ‘tier’ system in a parliamentary debate.
Ahead of this, the chief executive of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities has written to council leaders, giving them a strong indication of what tier of restrictions their authorities will be subject to.
The confidential letter reads: “I hope it will be helpful if I set out the approach being taken to these decisions. The starting point is the measures currently in place. These are broadly equivalent to Level 3 in the central belt, and Level 2 elsewhere.
“Changes from these levels, whether up or down, need to be justified by the data, supported by public health advice and consistent with the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 Framework for Decision-Making.
“Because of the severity of the impact of the measures in the highest level, Level 4, Ministers will only consider using it if necessary.
“The data currently indicate that level of concern for two areas: Level 4 is being considered for North and South Lanarkshire.
“There are, however, some signs in the latest data that the situation in those areas may be stabilising.
“Ministers will not reach a decision for these two areas until the latest possible point to ensure that they can take account of the fullest possible picture of the effect of measures already in place; but at this stage the use of Level 4 cannot be ruled out.
“If it was necessary, it would be used to avoid still greater harm, including many deaths.
“No changes are currently being considered in relation to other central belt areas. If that remains the case and is confirmed later this week, these areas would remain in Level 3 for the time being.
“There are some signs in the data of progress in the east of the central belt area, for example in Edinburgh and East Lothian, but some further consolidation of that progress is likely to be required before it would be safe, on public health grounds, to move them to Level 2.
“The data for Dundee City also gives cause for concern, with rising numbers of cases.
“Again, a final decision will be made on the basis of data becoming available in the next few days. Meantime, consideration is being given to moving Dundee City to Level 3 in the new framework, broadly equivalent to the measures currently in place in the central belt.
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