NICOLA Sturgeon has not ruled out a full nationwide lockdown “within the next few weeks” if a five-tier local system of restrictions fails to contain the coronavirus.
The First Minister made the warning as she revealed which band of curbs would apply to each of Scotland’s 32 councils areas from 6am on Monday.
Under the new assessments, most of the country will be in the medium to high bands of level 2 and 3 restrictions, with five rural and island areas in level 1.
No area will be placed in the lowest, level 0, which is close to normal life, but neither will any local authority be in level 4, which approaches the most severe restrictions imposed.
Speaking about the growing threat posed by the virus in Scotland and across the world, she noted both France and Germany had re-imposed nationwide lockdowns.
She urged people not to travel into or out of council areas where there are level 3 restrictions unless for “essential reasons” and said if people did not abide by advice, the new model would become “unsustainable”.
“If we succeed, we open the prospect – in all parts of the country – of being able to lead slightly less restricted lives in the future,” she told MSPs.
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“However, I must be open with Parliament and the country about this. We are, as of now, making progress in Scotland. But cases are still rising and the situation we face is fragile. And across Europe the pandemic is accelerating.”
She added: “So I cannot rule out a move back to nationwide restrictions in the next few weeks, including at level 4. That could happen if, for example, cases in parts of the county start to rise faster again, to the extent that controlling spread with travel restrictions will not be effective.
“Or it could happen if pressure on the NHS risks breaching capacity – not just at a local level – but overall. We want to avoid this, obviously. But to achieve that, we must all play our part.”
The First Minister said if the new approach is effective in driving down the virus, the five councils in level 1 – Highland, Moray, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland – could return to level 0, meaning people there will be permitted to go into other people’s houses again, which has been barred across Scotland since September.
A return to level 0 would mean it should be possible for up to six people from two households to meet up in homes again, she said.
While there had been fears that both North and South Lanarkshire might have to go into level 4, she said the situation there is “stabilising” as she announced both would be placed on level 3. However, she added this decision was “borderline” and will be kept under review on a daily basis.
The First Minister also drew attention to Edinburgh and East Lothian, saying that if progress there continued the two areas may move from level 3 to 2 “at a very early review point”.
Turning to Dundee, which is currently in what is effectively level 2, she said the situation there was cause for concern and the city will move into level 3 on Monday.
“Dundee is currently seeing, per week, around 185 new cases per 100,000 of the population. That is higher than for several of the areas already in the equivalent of level 3,” she stated.
Ahead of the levels being unveiled for each area, the First Minister announced 37 new deaths had been registered in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 2791. Another 1128 new infections were recorded since Wednesday, meaning Scotland’s total number of cases now sits at 61,531.
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The data confirmed 1152 people were in hospital – an increase of 35 from Wednesday – with 86 in intensive care, marking an increase of one. Greater Glasgow and Clyde saw the largest increase in cases, with a rise of 416.
Schools will remain open in all levels, with hygiene measures increasing depending on the tier.
Level 0 is the closest to normality and will allow a maximum of eight people from three households to meet indoors and 15 people from five households to meet outside. At level 1, socialising is restricted to six people from two households inside and outside. Hospitality businesses must close by 10.30pm, both inside and outside, with the last entry permitted at 9.30pm.
At level 3, socialising rules will stay as in level 2. Hospitality businesses will be prohibited from selling alcohol and will close at 6pm with last entry at 5pm. At level 4, extra curbs see non-essential retail and hospitality closed.
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