Edinburgh level three restrictions: Everything you need to know and all the reaction

What did Nicola Sturgeon announce?

In a statement to the Scottish Parliament yesterday afternoon, the First Minister confirmed that Edinburgh would not move from level three to level two despite “detailed discussions”.

She also reiterated that areas in level four, including Glasgow, Lanarkshire and West Lothian, would move to level three from 6pm on Friday, December 11.

Ms Sturgeon confirmed that Inverclyde, Falkirk and Angus will be moved down to level two from level three.

Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders will also be dropped down a level, moving from level two to level one. For a full list of levels see here.

Why has Edinburgh not moved down to level two?

Directors of Public Health Scotland were said to have advised the Scottish Government that the city had met all of the necessary criteria to move down from its current Level 3 restrictions.

Explaining the lack of movement in the capital, Ms Sturgeon said: “We have also had detailed discussions about whether Edinburgh should move to level two.

“Edinburgh is currently recording 68 cases per hundred thousand people, which is below the Scotland-wide figure of 99. Its test positivity levels are also relatively low.

“However, cases in Edinburgh have risen slightly in recent days. There seems also to have been an increase in East Lothian and Midlothian.”

She added: “The imminence of the Christmas period has also had an impact on our thinking. A move to level two in Edinburgh would mean opening up significantly more services in Scotland’s second biggest city in the two weeks before Christmas.

"That move would carry significant risk of increased transmission. For that reason, we want as much assurance as possible that the situation is as stable as possible before making that move.

“For that reason, and this has been a difficult decision, we have decided not to move Edinburgh to level two this week, but we will consider this again next week.”

Criticisms

One local Edinburgh business is threatening the Scottish Government with legal action after yesterday’s announcement. Ronnie Reid, who runs the One20 Wine Cafe in Dundas Street, claims the government’s decision flies in the face of the criteria for assessing which level each area should be in and threatens the viability of businesses like his.

In a letter to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, his lawyer says the approach to Edinburgh is "illogical and misdirected".

Mr Reid won a previous legal fight against the city council when the authority tried to order him to close his premises for serving food it considered “too fancy for a cafe”.

Lawyer Elaine Motion, of Balfour+Manson, said Mr Reid would now consider "further appropriate steps, including a judicial review".

Edinburgh politicians also reacted with dismay to the announcement. Edinburgh Southern MSP Daniel Johnson, Labour, said: “I could accept that we have to be evidence-led, and I can accept that there are judgements involved, but on both of those counts, this decision: A - flies in the face of evidence, all of the measures are either moderate or low, and either stable or declining; and B - they’ve provided basically no justification.”

He added: “It’s also very clear that Public Health officials advised that Edinburgh be moved down to level two, and we know that’s what they were saying directly to people in the council, it must have been what they were saying to the government and yet ministers have chosen to keep Edinburgh at level three and they need to explain that.”

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, Conservatives, said: “It is disappointing that Edinburgh has remained in tier three of lockdown restrictions, despite having Covid-19 rates that suggest Edinburgh could have been moved to tier two.

“The Scottish government must make balanced decisions that protect people’s lives and their livelihoods, especially for sectors such as hospitality in what would traditionally be the busiest month of the year."

Council Leader Adam McVey, who represents Leith for the SNP, said: “I’m extremely disappointed.

“Our numbers are stable and have now been consistently within the rates of level two for some time.

“We know what a dire situation local businesses continue to face and the latest news will be yet another blow in the lead-up to the Christmas period – which should be their busiest time of the year.

Edinburgh residents react

Following the announcement readers took to Facebook to share their thoughts on the capital remaining in tier three.

Fiona Lind commented: “So she’s ignoring her own guidelines and indicators. Feels like whatever we do, the decision will always depend on her discretion rather than the actual rules.”

Dale Lush said: “And yet again the people and businesses of Edinburgh suffer as a result of her loyalty to her beloved Glasgow. I hope the people of this city are finally waking up

to her incompetence but I shan’t hold my breath. There will still be sheep who clap like seals at the sky no matter what she does.

“Nicola Sturgeon you should be ashamed of yourself. The people of Edinburgh won’t forget this in a hurry.”

Susan Randall added: “Sad for all the businesses that are going to be destroyed because of this, at least a couple of weeks trading could make the difference between staying

afloat and sinking.”

Grant Gilbie said: “It’s a disgrace, we are below average for everything but because surrounding areas are showing an increase in numbers she has kept Edinburgh in level 3 for fear of visitors, shocking.”

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