Outer Hebrides islands put into lockdown as Covid takes hold

Having so far kept pandemic at bay, about 16% of Barra’s population now impacted

About 1,000 islanders on Barra in the Outer Hebrides are taking a “robust and responsible” approach to being placed in full lockdown from midnight on Tuesday, as a coronavirus outbreak spreads to affect about 16% of the population.

Having kept the virus off the 18 km (11 mile) long island since the pandemic began, there are now 45 positive tests with a further 140 individuals self-isolating.