Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has asked the First Minister to explain the basis for placing West Dunbartonshire into tier four of COVID-19 restrictions after being contacted by local constituents

This follows published data which shows that in the week prior to West Dunbartonshire being moved to tier four, the area experienced a 35% decrease in the number of positive cases. In the week before 20 November, the drop was a significant 25% which was much greater than the drop across Scotland as a whole—at the time, the Scotland-wide drop was just 9%. Over the same timeframe, Clackmannanshire local authority saw an increase in positive cases of 64% – yet the area was kept in tier three.

Jackie Baillie said that, given the extent to which tier four restrictions so negatively impacts on the day to day lives of local people – and businesses abilities to survive – a detailed explanation as to why West Dunbartonshire is in tier four is needed.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“Tier four restrictions are having a devastating impact on almost every aspect of our local community. Peoples’ mental health and wellbeing are taking a huge knock, businesses are struggling to make ends meet, and families and loved ones are going weeks without any interaction.

“Local people want to understand why the decision was taken to put the area into tier four, when other areas with worse COVID-19 figures are given lesser restrictions.

“This reduction in the number of positive cases in West Dunbartonshire is very welcome and down to the hard work and dedication of local people in sticking to the rules however disruptive they may be. I encourage everyone to continue to follow all the advice and guidance – it is there to keep both ourselves safe, and to protect the most vulnerable in our community.

“Hopefully when the position is reviewed by the First Minister we may see a reduction in restrictions in West Dunbartonshire as our figures are going the right way.”