Those hoping to secure a wee dram in the centre of Aberdeen will find themselves sorely disappointed as the city was the first in Scotland to re-enter lockdown as of yesterday evening.
First minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the tightening of restrictions in the Granite city yesterday lunchtime, following a spike in the number of local cases. Cafes, restaurants, and bars will remain shut for at least one week, with a review on restrictions promised for next Wednesday.
Additional police have been sent to the city in order to increase the number of patrols, however, Sturgeon said she hoped people would comply voluntarily.
The city’s some 228,000 residents have been told they should not enter each other’s homes, nor should they travel over five miles as the restrictions have been re-imposed. Restrictions also prohibit all but essential trips to care homes.
There are currently 54 cases of Covid-19 linked to bars in the city centre, with Sturgeon noting that it was too soon to rule out community transmission.
BBC reporter, Ben Phillip, said the city’s streets were "eerily quiet" prior to yesterday’s 10 o’clock news.
Deputy Chief Constable, Will Kerr said: “We are putting somewhere between ten to fifteen extra patrols in the city from 5 o’clock on Thursday and over the next few days and the weekend, to reassure the vast majority of the public who will continue to comply with instructions and guidance because they know how important it is.
"But it is also to deal with a small minority who decide that they don't want to do something and put others' health at risk.
He concluded: "We will clearly and undeniably enforce the law when it comes to those people."
