Moray set to wait as the rest of Scotland welcomes Covid changes
It is "highly probable" that Moray's Coronavirus cases will prevent any change to Level 2.
Last updated 11th May 2021
People in Highland and Aberdeenshire will be able to hug their loved ones and meet in private homes as most of mainland Scotland moves to Level 2, with eased restrictions on hospitality, entertainment, education and sport.
In those areas, the number of people and households that can meet inside homes in Level 2 has been increased to six people from three households.
New rules, which come into effect come Monday May 17th, will not apply in Moray, which is experiencing a high and increasing covid case numbers. As a result Moray is likely to remain in Level 3 for a further period, with travel in-and-out of the area prohibited. A final decision on this will be made at the end of this week.
Commenting on the First Minister’s announcement that it’s "highly probable" Moray will not move out of Level 3, Richard Lochhead MSP said:
“I appreciate that the announcement will not be the one many families, who were looking forward to meeting up indoors, and also businesses in Moray will have been hoping for. However, given that Moray’s cases are four times the national average few people will be surprised that we may have to wait a bit longer for the restrictions to be further eased.
“Some businesses in Moray will be impacted should we remain in level three next week. The impact on the local economy is something that I’ve raised with the Scottish Government and I welcome the fact that funds have been set aside for business support should we remain in Level 3.”
NHS Grampian have put efforts in place to contain Moray's situation, including the roll out of additional and expanded testing for both symptomatic and asymptomatic people, and also the acceleration of vaccinations for those over the age of 18.
Moray Council Chief Executive, Roddy Burns, said: “We can still turn this situation around. If we all take up the testing opportunities whether we have extended symptoms or not; isolate when we’re advised to; and get our vaccine we can progress out of the pandemic alongside the rest of the country. But we must be vigilant and use all the mitigations we have available to us. That means staying out of other people’s houses and not hugging our loved ones for a bit longer so we can improve the situation here in Moray.
“We’ve already heard from businesses and the tourism sector in Moray that they’re seeing the impact of us having such high covid case numbers compared to the rest of Scotland – we owe it to them, and our NHS colleagues, to take responsibility for our own actions and do as we’re asked. Community transmission means we all have the power to stop the spread, we need to step up and accept the responsibility that goes along with it.”
Deputy Director of Public Health for NHS Grampian, Chris Littlejohn, said: "While disappointing that Moray may not be able to move with the rest of the country next week, we have been delighted with the community response to our request for increased testing and we are continuing to ask that people continue to comply with the regulations and rules.
“If the community continues to do the right things, level two won’t be far away. We are pleased to say there has been enormous interest in the accelerated vaccination programme for Moray - we would ask people to be patient with us and, wherever possible, make every effort to attend the appointment made for them.
“We’ve also seen many people take up the enhanced testing offers – finding the virus and getting those with it to isolate, even if asymptomatic, really is the way we beat it and get Moray back on a level-footing with the rest of the country.
“With the extra vaccinations, testing and people sticking by the guidelines Moray will very soon be heading in the right direction and I’d thank each and every person who is playing their part in protecting Moray."
The message to those in Moray is to "stay patient", with people asked to stick to guidelines, especially given the lag between exposure, incubation and symptoms. They hope current measures will result in an improving picture over the next 10-14 days.