Moray MSP Richard Lochhead urges maximum support for the new covid measures

Richard Lochhead is urging Moray folk to do everything within their power to limit the spread of Covid by staying home and protecting the NHS.

The local MSP’s message follows the announcement that people will be required to stay at home except for essential purposes due to rising Covid-19 numbers.

Mr Lochhead said: "This is a very difficult time for everyone and I thank all my constituents for supporting each-other at this time.

"The new more infectious strain of the virus means that if we don’t act now the NHS will soon be overwhelmed.

"This lockdown is similar to the March lockdown, where you should only leave your home for essential purposes.

"These new measures, which are an extension to Level 4 measures, will be in place for the whole of January and may be extended beyond if absolutely necessary.

"The First Minister has indicated that with the approval of two vaccines, we are working flat out to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible which will reduce risk and help protect the most vulnerable .

"The cautious projection is that by May, everyone over 50 and those under 50 with underlying health conditions will have received the first dose of the vaccine.

"This should have a hugely positive impact on case numbers, take pressure off the NHS and bring us all much closer to an end of Covid restrictions.

"This is a tough start to 2021 but it is also the road to recovery from the pandemic with the new vaccines offering a great deal of hope."

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