We’re all in this together as Inverness MP Drew Hendry urges people to keep the faith, stay at home and hang in there as the Highlands was plunged into another full lockdown
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KEEP the faith, stay at home and hang in there was the message this week from MP Drew Hendry, as the Highlands was plunged into another full lockdown.
Supplies of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrived with NHS Highland on Tuesday but, due to a mutant strain of Covid-19 which is believed to be nearly 50 per cent more transmissible, people have been ordered to stay at home and avoid mixing with anyone outside of their household.
Almost 240 Covid-19 cases were detected across Inverness and neighbouring communities in the seven days to January 2 and residents can now only leave home for one of five reasons: to travel for work that cannot be done from home, to provide care, for shopping, to exercise or for medical appointments or emergencies.
Schools have shut until at least February, except for vulnerable youngsters and children of key workers.
The news came as a huge blow to the Highlands, which is still reeling from a move from tier one to four on Boxing Day, but Mr Hendry said if people stuck to the rules, we could emerge from lockdown sooner rather than later.
He told the Highland News: “These are difficult times, and the new restrictions are a hard burden to bear for all, but they are considered vital given the new strain acceleration.
“As the First Minister said, we must give vaccines the chance to win the race against the virus.
“We need to keep the faith, stay home and hang in there. We will get through this together.”
Dr Ken Oates, NHS Highland public health consultant, said: “We recognise that 2020 was an extremely challenging year for everyone and that we all have made significant sacrifices to reduce the spread of Covid-19 cases as much as possible.
“Unfortunately, there has been a significant increase in case numbers across Highland in the last two weeks, particularly in Inverness, Beauly, Dingwall, Invergordon, Alness and Caithness.
“Please adhere to the new national guidance issued earlier this week to stay at home.
“We are asking that everyone thinks about the risks that are involved in increasing the number of people you come into contact with and to please follow the rules to help us in reducing the spread of the virus.”
Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett, the police commander for Highlands and Islands, said: “We fully recognise the impact these further restrictions will have on people’s lives.
“However, it is clear that significant sacrifices are vital to help suppress the spread of coronavirus.
“Police Scotland officers will continue to support people to follow the regulations and encourage them to take personal responsibility.
“We will have increased patrols in our communities to explain the regulations and to encourage people to do the right thing.”
Rural Economy secretary Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, said of the new restrictions: “No one wants to impose them but sadly, without them, the new strain will infect even more people.
“The race is on to see the vaccine beat the virus and a huge effort is under way to secure and deliver supplies.
“Some argue that because infections have been lower in the Highlands that we should be exempt from the restrictions, but unfortunately we have already seen cases of the new strain take hold in central Scotland. It is much more infectious than the original virus and the rapid spread north proves that.”
The leader of Highland Council, Margaret Davidson, said: “This lockdown is going to be more challenging that the original lockdown last March as the virus is at a different level.
“It is therefore even more important that everyone complies with all the guidance to keep them safe – we cannot afford for any complacency.
“The Scottish Government’s message is clear – the safest place to be at the moment is at home and to stick to all the rules.”
Donna Smith, chairwoman of Inverness-based suicide prevention charity Mikeysline, said if people were struggling with mental health issues, there was always someone to talk to.
She added: “January is a tough month for a lot of folk and family pressures can come to the fore, but people shouldn’t be frightened to reach out and speak to somebody. No matter how bad they are feeling, there is someone out there and there is no shame in it whatsoever.”
You can text Mikeysline on 07786 207755 or send a personal message via Messenger, Twitter or Live Chat.
While the charity’s Hive drop-in facility is closed due to Covid restrictions, anyone who would like to speak to someone on the telephone can request a call back on Sunday to Thursday from 6pm until 10pm and Friday and Saturday from 7pm until 7am.
