The leaked Scottish Government document on potential new lockdown restrictions makes for sobering reading.
It’s a reality check for anyone who thought life had nearly returned to normal and the last six months were just a fading nightmare.
School closures, travel bans, restrictions on hospital visiting and the hospitality sector shut down are just some of the most serious options being considered.
But it goes on to talk about stopping indoor physical activities and outdoor contact sports, closing entertainment venues like cinemas and bingo halls while asking hairdressers and beauticians to shut.
While the Scottish Government has still to announce what new restrictions will officially look like, it proves nothing is off the table.
The document frames it as a two-week “circuit breaker” around the school October holidays – effectively a mini lockdown.
The measures might be unavoidable as each day we see infections increasing at an alarming rate.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon hopes taking action now might mean a more normal festive period while Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said any new restrictions could be in place for six months.
It’s clear the experts and those in power believe we’re far from the end of this crisis.
So it is important all of us follow whatever restrictions are implemented to keep everyone safe.
