Nicola Sturgeon warned that the "unpredictable" situation around coronavirus could cause disruption to the festive period.
Quizzed at her coronavirus daily briefing, the First Minister said that working together to tackle the virus and stop transmission could give families a "greater degree of normality" at Christmas time.
Ms Sturgeon acknowledged that it is an important time for many people, with further restrictions aimedat curbing the spread of Covid-19 set to be announced today.
Will I be able to have Christmas with my family?
At Monday's Scottish Government coronavirus briefing, Nicola Sturgeon stressed the ongoing fight against coronavirus is a “very uncertain and unpredictable and volatile situation” and said she did not want to “make definitive predictions about Christmas”.
Ms Sturgeon noted people of other faiths have already had some of their celebrations curtailed because of coronavirus.
“Our Muslim community has already gone through Eid without being able to celebrate properly,” she said.
“Some people in our country have already had these very difficult periods of important celebrations that they have not been able to enjoy.
Following a rise in the number of cases, First Minister @NicolaSturgeon has confirmed that new measures to limit the spread of #coronavirus will be introduced across Scotland in the coming days.
— Scottish Government (@scotgov) September 21, 2020
Find up-to-date guidance at https://t.co/kZjGNz2EDe pic.twitter.com/tUA12hzJsC
Ms Sturgeon added: "Christmas really matters to people and we want it to be as normal as possible.
“But we are in a global pandemic and if I was to stand here right now and say categorically that certain things could or couldn’t happen at Christmas I wouldn’t be being fair to people.
“As we get closer to Christmas we will have a better idea of what might be and what might be possible.
“The only thing I can say with I suppose even a smidgeon of certainty right now is that the more we collectively work together to bring it under control right now, perhaps the more prospect there will be of having some greater degree of normality by Christmas.
“But even that is a statement that is shrouded in some caveats.”
What can I do to help 'bring the virus under control'?
The Scottish Government has continued to emphasise the importance of FACTS guidance.
The First Minister has said that the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to:
- Wear face coverings in enclosed spaces
- Avoid crowded places
- Clean your hands and surfaces regularly
- Keep a two metre distance
- Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms.
Ms Sturgeon said going into the winter period makes the fight against the virus “much more challenging again”, although more is now known about it.
She added that during the Second World War “families were separated for a long, long time, several Christmases, not just one, people didn’t have Zoom and Facetime, and the ways of keeping in touch, even with physical separation.”
The First Minister concluded: “This is not easy but humanity is resilient and we will get through this.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel