Coronavirus in Moray: Politics put aside
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Moray's leading politicians have united to call for everyone to heed all the Coronavirus rules and advice.
Moray's Tory MP and its SNP MSP and council leader have put aside their ideological differences to join forces in the fight against the virus.
MSP Richard Lochhead from the SNP said: "We are in the midst of a national emergency and the collective action we take as a community can save lives.
"We need to support our NHS by staying at home and only go outside in the exceptional circumstances outlined by official advice.
"All local businesses must arrange for employees to work from home and where this can’t happen they need to close their premises to protect their workforce and prevent the spread of the virus.
"The only exception to this rule is for businesses essential to the national effort against coronavirus or who play a key role in maintaining the health and wellbeing of the nation.
"Otherwise, close now.
Working together, we can get through this and I pay tribute to all frontline staff in our NHS, Moray Council, shop workers and everyone else who are helping others and the greater good.
"Our communities are also rallying round to help others in their hour of need."
This message was echoed by Mr Ross, who is a Conservative.
He said: "I know from the number of businesses and individuals who’ve contacted me just how worrying a time this is for everyone.
"We are facing a challenge like never before and we all have a part to play in beating this virus to allow us to return to life as normal.
"There is no doubt that so many people in the NHS and many other areas are going above and beyond what they would normally be expected to do.
"They are at the front line treating patients and saving lives, but we can all help their efforts.
"The UK government and Scottish government are sending out a clear message that we must follow.
"Stay at home and you will save lives.
"These are unprecedented times that call for unprecedented measures.
"What we are being asked to do may not come naturally to many of us, but by working together we can get through this.
"Many lives will be saved by individuals supporting the collective effort."
These sentiments are also stressed being by Mr Leadbitter who belongs to the SNP.
He said: "This is a stark situation that we have never faced in our lifetimes.
"If you are not in a critical role then you must do all that you can to stay at home.
"Businesses need to think very hard if they are of critical importance.
"If they are not and cannot meet the very strong advice and rules from government then they need to close for the protection of their employees and the wider community."
“Our public services, especially the NHS and Social Care staff are doing an incredible job, along with many other key workers. We must do our bit to protect the NHS and help them and other key workers to do their critical work at this time.
“The message could not be clearer. People will avoidably die in significant numbers if we do not slow the Coronavirus down. Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”
Essential Advice can be found at nhsinform.scot or by calling NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88.
