NICOLA Sturgeon will announce new coronavirus restrictions across Scotland this afternoon in a statement from Holyrood.
Yesterday the First Minister ruled out implementing a March-style full lockdown, telling the Scottish Government daily briefing that there would be no “Stay Home” guidance, full economic shutdown or any school closures.
She added there would be no nationwide travel bans, but did not rule out local restrictions being brought in.
It is expected that this afternoon’s statement will include the temporary closure of pubs and restaurants, and localised travel bans for hotspot areas.
Any new measures are anticipated to kick in on Friday.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon rules out reimposing any form of lockdown in Scotland
The First Minister’s statement comes after 800 new coronavirus cases were recorded across Scotland yesterday and 44 more people were admitted to hospital with the illness.
During the briefing, Sturgeon said most parts of Scotland now have infection levels higher than 50 cases per 100,000. For context, she said local lockdown measures were implemented in Aberdeen when the rate reached 20 cases per 100,000.
The First Minister warned: “We’re also now beginning to see spread from the younger age group of the population into the older age groups.
“Again, the numbers being admitted to hospitals and intensive care, and, sadly, the number of people dying, are also increasing.”
She stressed: “The situation is not out of control, but it is a cause of increasing concern.”
Today’s announcement will begin at 2.50pm and will be broadcast from the Scottish Parliament.
You can watch Sturgeon deliver the statement online via the Scottish Parliament website.
The speech will also be broadcast on BBC One Scotland and BBC Scotland, and The National will carry all the key updates on our live blog.
We will also have articles explaining the measures, and what they mean for you, in detail.
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