MANY Borders businesses will be forced to close for three weeks from Boxing Day, when most of Scotland enters severe lockdown again.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Saturday (December 19) that every part of the country – except the islands – will go into Level 4 of the Scottish Government’s coronavirus restrictions. 

Michelle Donaghy, who runs Tile Style in Galashiels, told the Border Telegraph: “I am still in shock – I think everyone is probably in shock.”

READ MORE: What are the rules for the Borders in Level 4?

The Borders, currently in Level 1, will enter Level 4 at 12.01am on Boxing Day amid indications that a new strain of the virus is spreading quickly in parts of the UK.

Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues will be forced to close – except for takeaways – with non-essential shops having to shut too.

During Ms Sturgeon’s broadcast, she also tightened the rules for the Christmas period.

Now, three households (totalling a maximum of eight people) will only be allowed to meet on Christmas Day, rather than between December 23-27 as originally planned.

Cross-border travel is also banned during the festive period, with police patrols to be doubled in an attempt to deter rule-breakers.

Ms Sturgeon said she felt emotional as she announced the fresh lockdown and stricter Christmas rules.

“Standing here saying this actually makes me want to cry,” she said. “I’m sure listening to it will make many of you want to cry.”

Council leader Shona Haslam said: described the announcement as a “devastating blow” to businesses and called for more “clarity” from Holyrood.

“This new lockdown comes as a devastating blow to our businesses across the Scottish Borders.

“At this point in time we don’t have any information about what support will be available to them from the Scottish Government and I am asking for clarity, quickly.”

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Tile Style owner Ms Donaghy says the announcement has made her feel “like we’re in limbo”.

“We're all upset obviously,” said Ms Donaghy. “I am a bit confused because I don’t know if I can open or not.

"Normally we are all in control of our own businesses.

“I did think we would go into lockdown in January, but I’m still in shock that we’ll be in Level 4. I thought maybe Level 2 or Level 3, but not Level 4.

“I just don’t know whether I can open or not, whether I can get my deliveries from down south in Level 4. We need to get more information.”

Ms Donaghy currently does not employ any staff, but says she is concerned for the tradesmen she works with.

“I’m concerned about all my tradesmen, the tilers,” she said. “It’ll have a bigger impact on the guys. They need to get all my stock. I’ve got a lot of stock in for the new year."

READ MORE: NHS Borders cancels routine operations until end of January

Louise Stephen, manager of Selkirk’s Town Arms Inn, said: “We were expecting the review on Tuesday (December 22) to put us back in Level 2 – we didn’t expect lockdown.

“But we can understand it. It’s hard, it’s going to hit businesses hard.

“We’re just a wee pub,” Ms Stephen, 53, added. “We don’t do food so even if we got moved to Level 2 we’d still have to close. It is what it is.”

Christian Orde, 37, is the owner of Provender, a restaurant in Melrose.

He described the situation as a “gut punch”, adding: “We’re frustrated more than anything.”

Ms Sturgeon also said the majority of pupils would have their holiday period extended until January 11, with online learning to start from then until at least January 18.

Mrs Haslam said her “heart goes out to our young people who, after a turbulent year, are having to miss more school”.