After Nicola Sturgeon’s tough Covid rules effectively banned fans from the games, anger boiled over in Scottish football matches. Mark Drakeford was also subject to backlash for opting for tougher restrictions within Wales.
A crowd of young supporters chanted ‘Sturgeon, get tae f***’ while others held a banner saying ‘open your homes for COP26, closed doors for fans, f*** SNP’ – a reference to the climate change conference which some have blamed for fuelling cases.
After several researches that suggested Omicron is less likely than other variants to cause serious illnesses, Ms Sturgeon & Mr Drakeford were accused of jumping on the new Omicron curbs.
Nicola Sturgeon, Mark Drakeford were charged with jumping to conclusions about Omicron curbs. However, several studies have shown that it’s less likely to result in serious illness.
They are quite different from the England approach, which Sajid Javid, Health Secretary of England, praised this morning’s’reassuring data’ and stated that there would not be any new restrictions in England for at least one week.
Ms Sturgeon has decided to limit outdoor Hogmanay events to 500 from December 27th. This effectively excludes outdoor Hogmanay parties. However, indoor Hogmanay festivities will remain at 100 standing and 200 seated.
The tables will only be served at pubs with one-metre distance between the groups. Nightclubs are closed. They will be in force for at most three weeks.
Liz Cameron, the chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce said that Ms. Sturgeon’s restrictions “will be another hammer blow to employers and Scotland’s economy”.
Dr Cameron stated that these restrictions would be devastating for businesses across Scotland. They have done everything to ensure the safety of their staff and customers.
“Some sectors and businesses will see this update as the equivalent to receiving a lump coal in their Christmas stockings, adding on to the trade downturn they experienced during the critical run up the holiday period.”
Drakeford plans to bring back the “rule of 6”, two-meter social distancing rules for public places, and tables service at pubs only. Anyone caught working in the office ‘without a reasonable excuse’ could be fined £60.
A crowd of young supporters chanted ‘Sturgeon, get tae f***’ at a match in Scotland
David Chapman (executive director, UKHospitality Cymru organization) stated the new curbs would ‘virtually shutter Wales’ events sector and put all other hospitality companies much further into subviable trading.
The Welsh Night Time Industries Association referred to the restrictions as “devastating blow”
The devolved nation’s approach was called into question today by a series of studies that suggested Omicron might be less likely to cause severe illness than the early versions.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, (UKHSA), Omicron is associated with a lower risk of hospitalization.
Early evidence suggests fewer infected people are needing hospital treatment – potentially around a two-thirds reduction.
Sajid Javid, Health Secretary to the Government said that new findings regarding severity are ‘encouraging’. No10 also confirmed that no further announcements will be made on tightening regulations until next week.
Research at Imperial College London has shown that Omicron can cause hospitalization in people who have never had their vaccines or been infected by Covid. Hospitalisation is up to 20 per cent less likely in the general population — including those who have been infected or vaccinated — and 45 per cent less likely for at least a night
This graph is taken from the Scottish paper and shows how the Omicron case distribution compares to Delta. This graph shows how children in Scotland were more likely to be positive for Delta than young adults.
The above graphs show the rate of Omicron — S gene negative — and Delta — S gene positive — cases by vaccination status. The graph shows the following: unvaccinated, one dose of the vaccine no more than 3 weeks (v1_0_3), one dose less than 4 weeks (v1_4+), 2 doses Omicron — S gene negative (v2_0/1) and 2 doses vaccine no more than 10 weeks (v2_2/9). Two doses vaccine from 15 to 19 week ago (v2_15/19), 2 doses vaccine between 20 and 24 weeks (v2_20/24), 2 doses (v2_25+), and 1 to 25 weeks (v3_2_25 or more than 25% of the vaccination) This graph includes 3 doses less than one week ago (v3_0), 3 doses with the last administered more than a week (v3_1), and 3 doses greater than 2 weeks ago (v3_2+).
Andrew Bridgen, Tory MP and Minister for the Environment Andrew Bridgen stated that Omicron’s latest findings prove there’s no need to impose any additional restrictions.
Iain Duncan Smith, a former Conservative leader, said that lower severity had a ‘great bearing’ on the events.
MailOnline reported that it was becoming clear to him that those who claimed they wouldn’t add new restrictions would be proved wrong now.
“It is now that scientists must stop Project Fear.
Sir Iain stated that Johnson must come out to reassure the people that it is possible to continue relatively normal.
“The public must feel safe. They need to exercise caution. In crowded situations, wearing facemasks can be a smart thing to do. But that doesn’t make it any less dangerous than saying “stay away”, don’t visit family members, etc.
“The short answer is that we can just keep going.”
The national Covid incident director at Public Health Scotland Dr Jim McMenamin called the findings “qualified good news” but stressed that we shouldn’t be too optimistic.
He added: “The potential severe impact Omicron can have on a populace cannot be underestimated.
“Even though a lower proportion of the cases might eventually require treatment, it could still indicate a significant number of people with severe Covid infections which may lead to hospitalisation.”