Tough lockdown restrictions necessary, but they will impact says Fife businessman

This is the view of Kirkcaldy businessman Stephen Barbour, who is also events and community engagement manager at the Kings Theatre project in the town.

His comments come after the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today that from midnight tonight, Scotland will be plunged into a full national lockdown to try and curb the spread of the new variant of coronavirus which has resulted in a steep rise in case numbers.

The SNP leader said the new crackdown, lasting all of January, will include a legally enforceable stay-at-home rule. Exercise and essential journeys will be the only reasons why people will be allowed to leave their homes while the planned reopening of schools is being pushed back to February 1.

Coronavirus in Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon announces full lockdown from midnight

Mr Barbour, who has his own business as a network marketer for a nutrition company, said: “There are already businesses which are struggling so this will have an impact on them, but I think it is necessary.

"I would rather be alive and have friends and family alive than have a business, although, it is easy for me to say that than it might be for some people because I am in a really fortunate position in that I have had a business which has grown throughout the pandemic.

"The news about the vaccine this new year is brilliant and I know it will take time, but I am hoping, optimistically, that by April/May perhaps the Kings can re-open and we might be able to do something with small numbers and go from there, but seeing the infection numbers rise and feeling that this lockdown was coming, it feels like the vaccine is irrelevant at the minute.

“We have to get back to protecting each other and that feels more important right now."

He added: “Going into this new lockdown we have to remind ourselves that we have been through so much already and this vaccine is such a big shining light that we just need to do a few more weeks of this.

"Once we are out of lockdown and we look back at it, I think there will be more positives than negatives.

"We will appreciate family, friends and time much more.”

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