Removing Christmas decorations from Caithness locations 'not essential work'
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The festive season has gone but Christmas lights are still up in Caithness and elsewhere in the Highlands – and it is all because of coronavirus.
Due to the strict Covid-19 restrictions, Highland Council has said removing the lights and other seasonal decorations cannot be regarded as essential work, so they will stay where they in the meantime.
A local authority spokeswoman explained that ward managers wrote to community councils last month informing them of the council's position.
She said: "We know that across Highland many community councils or other community groups put up a Christmas tree and Christmas lights in their town or village as a part of local celebrations.
"Following the tightened Covid restrictions now in place a number of people have asked for guidance on how/when to take down these trees and lights.
"With the legal requirement to now stay at home, we would advise that this cannot be regarded as an essential task or reason for leaving home and therefore the decorations should remain in place for the time being. There is no further update on a timescale."
Thurso and Northwest Caithness Highland councillor Matthew Reiss has had a few comments about the Christmas decorations still being on display.
"Some have said the lights are cheerful and it is good to see them. I've also been told that Thurso's seemingly well-fed Santa should be asked to return to Lapland now, as some children are wondering why he is still here. Two adults have also commented to me that perhaps he is not the best looking Santa," he said.
Councillor Reiss added: "I don't know when we will be allowed to take them down."
As previously reported, Thurso community activist Alexander Glasgow thinks the town's festive decorations should be left up until 40 days after Christmas Day.
He said it is not essential to take the decorations and lights down when there are problems with the coronavirus and believes keeping them up would continue to please local people in these hard times.
Mr Glasgow added: "As well as relieving pressure on volunteers any continued decorations will continue to give pleasure."
