Lanarkshire lockdown warning is “wake up call”

That is the view of health chiefs who took the get-tough step last Friday of issuing a public health warning stating in no uncertain terms that the authority was looking into some form of a return to lockdown.

Many of our readers braced themselves for an announcement after the warning was issued on our website early on Friday afternoon.

And a weekend of uncertainty followed after the loud-and-clear message was spread.

Yet in the event, it was Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire who were added to an existing list which has brought special measures to West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow and East Renfrewshire.

NHS Lanarkshire director of public health, Gabe Docherty stressed that every resident still has a role to play in keeping Lanarkshire free from these restrictions in the coming days.

And this will revolve around key factors like the conduct of holidaymakers who are required to quarantine for a fortnight after returning from hotspots on the watchlist that still includes Spain, Portugal, Greece and France.

There is some suggestion that the rules are not being followed by the letter - and that this simply cannot continue.

And there was also a particular message about social distancing and a perceived lack of it within the board’s boundaries..

It has also been stressed once again that large gatherings within an indoor setting are strictly off limits.

Mr Docherty said: “No one wants another lockdown.

“However Lanarkshire is very close to facing additional Covid-19 restrictions similar to those in Glasgow and neighbouring areas.

“We need everyone’s help to avoid that happening by following well-publicised advice.

“In particular I’d encourage people who are returning from restricted travel locations to isolate for 14 days when they return.

“If you have symptoms, even mild, please do not attend work.

“Similarly, it’s crucially important people limit the amount of people they have close contact with.”

Mr Docherty reiterated Government guidance on outdoor and indoor gatherings.

“No more than eight people from a maximum of three households should gather indoors at a time.”

In a nod to alfresco gatherings, including barbecues Mr Docherty stressed that no more than 15 people from a maximum of five households should gather outdoors at a time.

He added: “Remember FACTS; Face coverings, Avoid crowded places, Clean hands regularly, Two metre distance and Self-isolate if you have symptoms.

“The situation in Glasgow city, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire is geographically close but also very close in terms of being replicated right here in Lanarkshire.

“This should be a wake-up call for all of us to stick to the guidelines, stop this virus spreading any further or any faster and keep Lanarkshire out of lockdown.”

Meanwhile Scotland’s acting chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith said: “What we are certainly seeing is that there has been a shift, quite a remarkable shift, in the demographic of those who are testing positive in recent weeks.

“It’s a much greater volume of people between 18 and 39 years old who are testing positive compared to before.

“The positive rate has also increased quit substantially.”