THE leader of the council and the chief executive of NHS Borders have issued statements now that Scotland’s route out of lockdown has been outlined.

On Tuesday (February 23), First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the Scottish Government’s plan for the gradual easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions over the coming weeks.

While no date has been set for when lockdown will end, Ms Sturgeon said that she is hopeful that all areas will be moved into level 3 of the government’s multi-tiered system on April 26.

Before then, it is hoped that P4-7 schoolchildren will return to classrooms from March 15, along with more senior secondary pupils.

Scottish Borders Council’s leader Shona Haslam and NHS Borders’ chief executive Ralph Roberts have issued statements in response to Ms Sturgeon’s announcement.

Shona Haslam, leader of SBC

People in the Scottish Borders are keen to get some level of normality back in their lives. We await more information from the Scottish Government and hope that we learn more soon.

As more and more of us receive vaccines and the virus suppresses, I hope that we will soon be able to get all young people back in schools, open up our local economy, enjoy the things we’ve not been able to do and enable everyone to see more of their loved ones.

For now please continue to follow all guidance in place. Stay at home as much as possible and follow the FACTS.

Ralph Roberts, chief executive of NHS Borders

The Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework published [on Tuesday] begins to show how we might be able to reduce the lockdown measures currently in place.

However, while we all yearn for a return to normality, in order to continue to protect each other and our local health and care services it is important the people of the Borders remain patient and stick with the rules.

For now we must continue to only leave home for essential purposes such as exercise and food shopping and not meet people from other households indoors.

Please follow the FACTS when you are out and about – even if you have received your Covid vaccination.

Almost 37,000 people in the Borders have now received their first dose of the vaccination which is excellent news.

We are continuing to roll out vaccinations as quickly as vaccine supply allows and if you are offered an appointment I would encourage you to take this to protect yourself and your family, and to play your part in reaching the end of restrictions and a return to the life that we are all so looking forward to.