Borders is placed in Tier 2 from Monday

From Monday, the Borders will be placed into tier two of the Scottish Government’s new multi-level system to address the Covid-19 pandemic.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Speaking at Holyrood this afternoon, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was “finely-balanced” whether the region should be in tier one or two along with Dumfries and Galloway, but the latter was decided upon due to our interconnection with neighbouring areas”.

She said: “We have also considered the impact of travel from nearby areas with higher prevalence of Covid.

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“As a result, we have decided to take a cautious approach of applying level two to both areas.

“We will, however, consider this decision very carefully at the next review point.”

Tier 2 effectively means a continuation of the measures that have been in place over the last three weeks, with indoor socialising banned and only six people from two households allowed to meet outdoors.

Restrictions will continue to impact hospitality and leisure, with alcohol not allowed to be sold indoors unless served with meals, outdoor events banned, and soft play, snooker halls and nightclubs to remain closed.

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There is a slight improvement for licensed premises in the region, though, as under the new Tier 2 rules pubs and restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol indoors with a meal until 8pm.

In a joint statement from Scottish Borders Council and NHS Borders, the local authority and health board said this was a “significant development”.

The statement reads: “It is clearly helpful to have appropriate local measures in place to address the threat that Covid-19 presents in our communities.

“Here in the Borders, NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council continue to work closely to ensure that every appropriate measure is taken to support individuals, their families and wider communities at this difficult time.

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“It is essential that everyone follows the current guidance and adheres to the restrictions in place.

“Through that compliance we can be most confident of low rates of infection and, in time, reduced restrictions by being placed into Level 1.”

Council leader Shona Haslam said earlier this week that going into tier two would be the worst case scenario for the region, as some businesses may be forced to close, but would not be in line for grant funding which regions in tier 3 are eligible for.

After the announcement, she said: “Like the Scottish Government, I am disappointed that the Borders is not in Level 1, as the indicators would suggest it should be.

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“However, I understand that there are still concerns about rising infection rates and the outbreak in Jedburgh.

“I have asked the Deputy First Minister for a further meeting next week to set out a timetable for the Borders to move into Level 1 as soon as possible.

“Our businesses and hospitality industry will not survive unless they can either trade, or receive additional financial support.

“I am hopeful that so long as our current trend continues that we can quickly move to Level 1 and allow businesses to trade more normally and for people to meet and socialise more normally too.”

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NHS Borders chair Karen Hamilton said: “We welcome the introduction of the new system and are committed to working alongside Scottish Borders Council to inform decisions about any future change to the level for the Scottish Borders.

“In the meantime we would encourage everyone to fully comply with the guidance so that we continue to protect each other and our services.”