It has been announced today (17 November 2020) that West Dunbartonshire is to move into Level 4 Covid-19 restrictions alongside a number of local authorities within the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board area and across central Scotland.
The new measures will come into place from 6pm on Friday 20 November and will be in place for three weeks.
Under the Level Four restrictions, residents are being told to stay at home where possible, and limit social interaction.
Travelling out of or into a Level 4 area is also not permitted, subject to limited exceptions, and this will become enforceable by law from Friday.
A number of premises across the area will have to close, including non essential shops, pubs, cafes, and restaurants, though takeaways can continue operating.
In addition, leisure centres, gyms, beauty salons, hairdressers and other close contact retail services will be closed for the period of restrictions, along with indoor visitor attractions and all leisure and entertainment premises.
Holiday accommodation will be closed to tourism and hotels, B&Bs and self catering will only remain open for essential customers.
Schools, early learning centres and formal childcare settings can remain open.
Residents will continue to be unable to visit each other’s homes.
People from two different households can continue to meet outdoors in groups of no more than six people, providing existing guidance on face coverings, physical distancing and hygiene is adhered to.
The guidelines state that residents should only use public transport for essential journeys, and avoid car-sharing with other households wherever possible.
Places of worship can remain open for a maximum of 20 people, while weddings can go ahead with no more than 15 people, and no reception can be held.
Funerals and wakes can continue but the limit remains at 20 people.
In addition to the furlough scheme for staff unable to work due to restrictions, the Scottish Government has introduced a grant of up to £3000 every four weeks for closed businesses and a lesser grant for those essential businesses able to remain open but who are still impacted by the restrictions.
Money is also available for self-employed people unable to access other support. Full details of all the funding available will be released by the Scottish Goverment in the coming days.
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“Moving to level 4 restrictions, even for a limited period, isn’t welcome news for many, but when lives are at stake it’s right to take a cautious approach.
“The measures being put in place to combat the spread of Covid-19 are making a difference. That’s clear from the case numbers here in West Dunbartonshire and other areas which have stabilised in recent weeks.
“Whilst we’re all fed-up of these restrictions, we cannot let up in the fight against this deadly virus until the high number of cases and hospitalisations drops significantly.
“The news about a vaccine gives hope we’ll be able return to some sort of normality soon. By taking these tough decisions now it gives the best chance of easing restrictions ahead of Christmas and keeping our families and loved ones safe.”
The latest information on Level 4 restrictions can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/pages/protection-level-4/
