Council Leaders have urged residents to adhere to national guidance as we welcome 2021.
Ahead of the midnight moment on Thursday 31st December, Council Leader Adam McVey, Depute Leader Cammy Day and Police Scotland’s Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, are reminding residents to adhere to the ongoing level 4 restrictions in the Capital.
Council Leader Adam McVey said:
The best and safest place to celebrate Hogmanay this year is at home.
Cases have increased significantly so please don't go round to friends' houses and keep adhering to the guidance - more gatherings at Hogmanay will cause increased risk to people across the Capital and in particular our NHS staff and services. Following the rules now is the quickest way to get restrictions lifted and hopefully we can look back at this Hogmanay as one of our final sacrifices in the battle against the virus.
As 2020 comes to a close and with the roll out of vaccines underway, we can look more positively towards 2021. But for now, and this Hogmanay, please keep following the guidance, please stay at home and keep yourself and others safe.”
Deputy Leader Cammy Day said:
Public safety must be our top priority as we continue the fight against Covid-19 and, by following the guidance as you have done so admirably since it began, you can play your part once more.
We’ve worked closely with Underbelly and other partners to produce a fitting online celebration of Hogmanay and, having already paid tribute to our NHS and frontline workers with a fantastic pyrotechnic show on the Castle Esplanade, I would encourage everyone to tune in to the finale of the UK’s largest swarm drone display as we bid Fare Well to 2020. It’s a truly spectacular and moving show, befitting of Edinburgh’s status as the Home of Hogmanay.
Let’s see out the year safely and look forward to a better and more positive 2021.”
Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, said:
We're asking everyone to continue to do the right thing to stop the spread of this virus and protect public health as it's clear that there is an ongoing risk.
Remember that parties and indoor gatherings of different households are not permitted and we will continue to use our enforcement powers to disperse large groups of people where necessary.
Our approach throughout the pandemic has been to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance, and encourage compliance, but we will not hesitate to continue to use our enforcement powers as a last resort.
Please follow the Scottish Government's advice, which is to celebrate Hogmanay and the New Year with your own household only, in your own home."
Following the cancellation of the world famous street party, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has moved to an entirely online celebration with a series of spectacular ‘moments’ that can be watched from home.
Featuring the UK's largest swarm drone show, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will bring to life an exciting new piece of writing by award-winning poet and Scots Makar, Jackie Kay. Fare Well is split into three, 5-minute parts, that can be viewed online at 7pm on 29th, 30th and 31st December. Full details of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations can be found at www.edinburghshogmanay.com