Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday announced the cancellation of the Omicron version of the traditional three-day New Year’s Eve celebration in Scotland due to the spread.
• Read also: Do you need a suitable vaccine for Omicron?
In England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised his compatriots that there will be no hardening before Christmas, leaving the door open for further measures next week.
But in Scotland, which sets its own health policy, the independence leader immediately announced limits on gatherings because the highly contagious version of the coronavirus is “currently spreading rapidly in Scotland”, where it now represents the majority of cases. Is.
As a result, “extensive celebrations of Hogmanay (New Year’s holidays, editor’s note), including events planned here in our capital (Edinburgh, editor’s note), will not take place,” Ms Sturgeon told the deputy. local parliament.
“I know how frustrating it will be for those who are eagerly waiting for these events, and for their organisers”, he acknowledged, though recalling that “large events are an additional burden on emergency services.” put”.
The announcement is part of the introduction of wider restrictions to reduce the spread of the virus in Scotland, which, like every British nation, sets its own health policy.
Nicola Sturgeon has announced that, for a further three weeks from Boxing Day, outdoor public events will be limited to 500 people and indoor events to 100 people standing or 200 people seated.
“This means that sports matches, including football, will take place without spectators during these three weeks,” she said.
Although this does not apply to private events such as weddings, the prime minister encouraged people to “get out as little as possible”, especially for Hogman.
“Uncertainty”
These new restrictions come as the United Kingdom, one of the countries hardest-hit by the pandemic with more than 147,000 deaths in Europe, is facing more than 90,000 new cases of contamination every day (+90,629 Tuesdays) for some time. Used to be.
However, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday refused to proceed in England with a turn of the screw demanded by some and rejected any new restrictions ahead of Christmas.
“Given the looming uncertainty at several points – the severity of the omicron, uncertainty over hospitalization rates or the impact of vaccine deployment or booster shots – we do not believe today that there is enough to justify strict measures ahead of Christmas.” There is evidence.” It was announced in a video posted on his Twitter account.
However, he warned that “the situation remains very delicate” and encouraged the British to “use caution”. “We continue to monitor Omicron very closely,” he said, “and if the situation worsens, we will be ready to take action if necessary.”
However, his government has announced financial support for sectors affected by deteriorating health conditions, in particular catering and theaters that are subject to series cancellations or have to close due to their sick staff.
In Wales, the local government has now imposed fines for failing to respect telework. An employee who violates this directive will be fined 60 pounds (70 euros) from 20 December and the employer at risk of 1,000 to 10,000 pounds, if the facts are repeated.
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