CLYDEBANK residents and businesses are adjusting to life under Level 4 rules – the tightest restrictions since the full national lockdown earlier this year.

The strictest Scottish Government limits took effect across Clydebank and north-west Glasgow on Friday evening to try and limit the spread of Covid-19.

But businesses have warned of the potential impact of the heightened restrictions, including the shuttering of non-essential businesses until at least December 11.

Damon Scott, chief executive of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Due to the fragility of so many businesses affected, a Level 4 lockdown will make Christmas a bleak prospect for those people and their families who depend on the employment they provide.

“It is impossible for businesses to plan effectively within the stop-start trading environment we currently find ourselves in.

“The Chamber network would prefer to see an emphasis on allowing businesses that can trade safely to do so, particularly where the data shows it is safe.”

But residents voiced their frustration that businesses were closing weeks before Christmas but schools continued to stay open.

Reader Eileen Dempsey said: “Everyone says kids need to be in school otherwise their education will suffer. Truth is their education is suffering because class numbers change on a daily basis depending on the number of kids self-isolating as well as number of teachers having to do the same.”

And Greg Martin said: “Level 4 is just gonna shut legitimate businesses like gyms, hairdressers etc who are all following all the ‘guidelines’.”

But Alison Harrison said: “Schools are open in other areas but measures have still worked and they’ve moved to Levels 1 and 2.

“Can we all just do what we should so we can get West Dunbartonshire infection rates down please? It’s our best chance of having some normality at Christmas.”