Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson hits out at Nicola Sturgeon over household visits in north
Highland Council has revealed that just 300 people will benefit from the relaxation of Covid restrictions in the Highlands, that were announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Council leader Margaret Davidson lashed out at the lack of change citing the massive impact on mental health as well as the economy in a region with a rate of positive Covid cases of just 20 per 100,000 people.
Ms Sturgeon confirmed that both the Highlands and Moray would remain at Tier One but that household visits would remain banned. But some inhabited islands in the region – except Skye – may now enjoy household visits for six people from two different homes.
Cllr Davidson said the overwhelming majority of people in the north will have to just “suffer the isolation which these restrictions bring” while questioning just how well “our unique rural context is fully understood” in Edinburgh.
The veteran councillor said that though she understood Ms Sturgeon was taking a cautious approach it did not match up with balancing with claims that the First Minister
“While this may be welcome news for a small number of households in island communities, the relaxation will only benefit some 300 people or less than two per cent of people in Highland,” she said.
“The other 98.5 per cent of the Highland population will have to continue to meet in hospitality, where this is available or suffer the isolation which these restrictions bring.
“I understand that the First Minister is taking a cautious approach however the number of positive cases remains well under 20 per 100,000.
“The First Minister refers to balancing the four harms of Covid – Highland is currently victim to the harms to the economy and to individuals of isolation and mental ill health during the coldest and darkest days of winter.
"I do not think that our unique rural context is fully understood. Many places in the Highlands are just as isolated as on any remote island.
“In many communities it is simply not possible for people to meet in a hospitality setting and where this is possible, it carries a cost for those who are on low incomes or have been financially affected by the pandemic.
"Household visits are part of Highland way of life and are not just beneficial for our wellbeing, but essential to our wellbeing. We will continue to lobby for this change and reverse the harms imposed by these continued levels of restrictions.”
