Falkirk braced for tough new restrictions from Boxing Day

All non-essential businesses are set to close as the Scottish Government introduces tough new restrictions in a bid to tackle a new strain of coronavirus.

From Boxing Day, only essential retail can remain open - delivering another hammer blow to the hospitality trade as cafes, bars and restaurants face further closure, along with hair salons, and much of the beauty industry.

Sports and leisure centres, and gyms, will also be closed along with all public buildings, including libraries which can only operate click and collect services.

The sweeping new rule, which will impact on how we socialise and severely curtail travel plans, will be in place for three weeks, but come with no guarantee of any immediate easing in mid-January.

The region was given just days to prepare following the announcement of a faster-spreading strain of the virus.

For many families, it meant a complete re-think of their Christmas plans to meet up with loved ones as the five-day ‘window’ for socialising was cut to just December 25..

And, while businesses are still assessing the full impact of another major closure, some fear it will be devastating, and could lead to closures in the new year..

Retail faces a major hit just as many stores were gearing up for their traditional festive sales.

While all non-essential shops must close, the Howgate Shopping Centre will still offer access to vital services including pharmacies, Post Office and food stores - via entrances at the High Street and Pleasance .

Members of the public will have access to the High Street facility – but only for visits to essential stores like pharmacies, food shops and its Post Office.

The Howgate will also open be on Sundays during the three-week tightening of restrictions.

The revised opening hours are: Monday to Friday (9am-5.30pm), Saturday (9am-4pm) and Sunday (noon-4pm).

Boots and Wilko will remain open, but will only be accessible from the High Street entrance.

The Post Office, Poundland, Superdrug, Ramsdens and Lyn’s Small Animal Rehoming will be open, as will Sutherland’s Fruit and Veg which will move to the front of the centre.

Multi-storey car park will remain open with parking only available on level 3 where there are wider bays for disabled, and parent and child parking.

Across Falkirk, businesses have been assessing the impact of a lockdown into January.

Pauline Spiers, owner of occasion wear store Catwalk in Falkirk, will shut on Christmas Eve.She said: "When I heard I wasn't surprised - I thought it was imminent.

"It'll have a detrimental effect on the business because January is our peak time. Our busiest season is between January and April.

“We've invested a massive amount of effort and money into the new wedding collection and started taking deliveries.

"We've had deliveries this week and taken appointments which we've had to cancel - until we get the new guidelines, we can't take any appointments.

"The travel restrictions prior to this had an effect because we have a lot of customers from all over the UK.

"It's just something we've got to accept. It's the whole of the country. We will be ready for customers when the time is right."

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For the hospitality sector, the move to Level 4 could be devastating.

Jordan Knight, owner of the High Spirits bar in Falkirk, said: "It's catastrophic for us. I just managed to get the kitchen to a working standard because we didn't have a functioning one before.

"The council said if we didn't open in December we'd be getting cuts to our funding.

"We've had a week's trade out of it. Because of that, there's over £1000 of food stock going to waste and about another £1500 of drink stock has to be disposed of.

"I've taken on new staff because we were a bit busier when we reopened but I've had to let them go because they can't get furlough as they only started this month."

Places of worship will remain open, but can only welcome a maximum of 20 worshippers.

But some churches have decided to close their doors and provide services online only.

Airth Parish Church will be closed for the next three Sundays.

The service this Sunday will be held on Zoom from 11:00 am.

Wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships can go ahead with the same number of guests, but receptions are not permitted.

Funerals and wakes will continue with a maximum of 20 people.

People also need to re-think how they interact with others.

Under Level 4 restrictions, people should not meet in each others houses.

Six adults from two separate households can meet in a public place - children under 12 do not count towards that total.

There are exceptions for a household providing care and support to a vulnerable person, and the extended household rule still applies in level four to allow people who live alone - or who are a single adult with children under 18 - being considered part of another household to reduce loneliness and isolation.

Up to two households - totalling no more than six - can meet in a private garden or a public place like a park.

Young people aged between 12 and 17 can meet up in groups of up to six outdoors.

If you are meeting in someone's garden during the next few weeks when Level 4 restrictions apply, you can go inside if you need to use the toilet - but you should wipe down surfaces you touch with antibacterial wipes and use only freshly laundered or paper towels.

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