Youth clubs close as tighter Covid rules expected to be announced tomorrow

IN AN early sign of what may be around the corner, all Shetland Islands Council-run youth clubs have now closed until the new year.

A short social media statement this afternoon (Monday) said that a “local decision has been taken with public health to close all supported sessional youth clubs until the new year”.

It comes after the number of Covid cases recorded locally started to rise once again – with 26 new cases confirmed over the last three days since Friday.

As Scotland prepares for the Omicron “tsunami” some self-isolation guidelines have already been tightened, with more likely to be announced on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s health secretary Humza Yousaf is on record saying that further Covid restrictions are inevitable. There are calls from teaching unions for schools to close early.

Last week, Public Health Scotland advised the postponement of Christmas parties, leading to a wave of cancellations affecting local bars and restaurants.

It revolves around the new Omicron variant of Covid, which is said to be more easily spread. It has led the Scottish Government to accelerate the Covid booster programme.