Scotland can celebrate the good news on Covid – leader comment

Hairdressers are preparing to welcome customers back to the salon and they may have their work cut out (Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Congratulations, well done and take a bow. We the public deserve considerable plaudits because, by sticking to the lockdown restrictions in vast numbers, we have helped to dramatically reduce the spread of coronavirus in Scotland.

Our reward will be much greater than words of praise. For one, we are soon going to be allowed to get our hair cut by a professional, which will be of enormous relief for many, especially those moved by desperation to try their own hand at a quick tidy up, only to discover that it’s more difficult than it looks.

Life is about to return to something much closer than normal after the Scottish Government announced dates for a major relaxation of the lockdown’s restrictions next month. From 3 July, the five-mile travel limit will be lifted; on 6 July, beer gardens will be able to re-open; from 10 July, people from two households will be able to meet indoors; from 13 July, shopping centres will be allowed to fully re-open; while pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, holiday cottages and more will be back in businesses from 15 July.

All this will go a long way to lifting our spirits and banishing the gloom that descended with the virus and lockdown. There are still restrictions and we all need to take care to abide by them, but if the disease continues to recede then we are over the worst and can gradually get back to work, to seeing our family and friends, and living life to its fullest. Many will do so with a renewed understanding of just what is truly important in life and that should inform the significant task now ahead of us all of restoring Scotland’s economy, upon which all our livelihoods ultimately depend, to a healthy condition.

The easing of the restrictions is a key step in achieving this aim, but it is unlikely that we will simply bounce back. Lasting damage has been caused and, as state support is phased out, further job losses are likely. So, even if the virus is on its way out, we are still facing a serious crisis.

And, regrettably, we may not be witnessing the last days of Covid-19. The World Health Organisation recently warned the infection was accelerating globally with some places experiencing renewed outbreaks of infection. In an open letter published in the BMJ medical journal, leading UK experts warned a second wave was a “real risk”.

We all hope this is nearly over, but we cannot let that blind us to the danger of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in this bitter fight against a deadly disease.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director