Not a great fan of Nicola Sturgeon.Just watching her report on Sky news Giving good advice Hope people living south of the Scottish border listens to her sound advice.
I have a friend who lives on a Scottish island. For a week, they have been firmly saying to tourists “don’t come”, and if you’re here, consider leaving. That’s the residents saying that, and also the local tourist office!
Tourism is pretty much the only industry in these places.
And it’s not a “we don’t want no steenking incomers bringing no steenking viruses". It’s much more pragmatic. These islands do not have any more than the minimum medical facilities. No A&E, no intensive care. In many cases, no hospital beds at all. A significant illness can mean a helicopter to the mainland, or an overnight wait for the ferry. It’s about the additional load placed on these medical services by a flux of tourists.
I see Calmac and Scot Govt have now banned all but essential traffic on ferries. So local residents and essential business/supplies only.
I worry about the people who flout this advice. On Friday, there was guidance that all pubs and restaurants should close immediately. Most establishments followed this advice. But one of our less salubrious locals thought “If I have to close, all this beer will go to waste”, and stayed open Friday and Saturday with a “Pound a pint until it’s all gone” party. And it was busier than it has ever been. Don’t know who’s dafter - the landlord or the pond life who crowded in.
