Lockdown routemap must be backed with robust TTI, say Greens
Scotland’s lockdown routemap must be backed with robust testing and tracing, the Scottish Greens have said.
Responding to the Scottish Government’s routemap for leaving lockdown, Scottish Greens health spokesperson and parliamentary co-leader Alison Johnstone said: “I share the First Minister’s reaction to the images of Portobello beach yesterday. It is clear lockdown will be increasingly hard to maintain, so I welcome the clarity provided by today’s route map.
"It gives everyone in Scotland much needed detail on how we can supress the virus and lift restrictions, and it’s in stark contrast to the reckless approach taken by the UK Government, which has seen many people already sent back to work without the clear ability to test, trace and isolate every case in place.
“That’s why we need confidence in Scotland’s capacity to do this properly. The World Health Organisation is clear that testing and tracing every case is needed before restrictions are lifted, yet we have seen Scotland fail to meet its own capacity for testing and contact tracing is not yet rolled out across the country. This clearly needs to happen as soon as possible.”
On the four-day week, Alison Johnstone said: “The First Minister’s statement also suggested a move to a four-day week will be considered. I welcome this approach as long as incomes are protected in full, as we look to ensure that any return to work is as safe and fair as possible.”