NICOLA Sturgeon is to hold a press conference this evening after her emergency Cabinet meeting over Christmas plans.
This afternoon England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty put out a statement saying a new Covid variant, which is prevalent in the south and east of England, “can spread more quickly”.
Sturgeon and the Prime Minister are holding separate press conference later today following the news.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson to hold press conference today amid fear over new Covid strain
The FM's media briefing will take place at 5.30pm following her Cabinet meeting. She plans to announce if any changes will take place over the Christmas period.
FM @NicolaSturgeon is to hold a special cabinet meeting on #coronavirus at 3pm
— Glenn Campbell (@GlennBBC) December 19, 2020
Ministers will consider Christmas arrangements and are expected to confirm any changes in a news conference later this pm
Addressing Twitter this afternoon Nicola Sturgeon said she had taken part in a four-nations call and will shortly chair a Scottish Government Cabinet meeting on the new variant.
Although Scotland’s coronavirus infection level is lower than in other parts of the UK she issued a strong warning.
“Cases currently at lower level in Scotland than rUK - but preventative action may be necessary to stop faster spreading strain taking hold,” she warned.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon issues warning as new Covid-19 variant spreads faster
The news raises questions over the Christmas period, over which the four nations have agreed an easing of restrictions for a five day period between December 23 and 27.
But has already been suggested that Scotland could be put back into lockdown after Christmas – as has been announced in Northern Ireland and Wales.
Deputy first minister John Swinney yesterday told the BBC: “Unfortunately, in Scotland today, we are in a rising tide of coronavirus cases.
“The less we do to have social interaction in the period going forward, the better, in terms of stemming the rise in coronavirus cases within our community.”
Asked if the Scottish Government is considering similar measures to Wales, he said it could not be ruled out.
“We’ll have to look at what the forward prospects look like, we’ll have to take decisions that will be sustainable for a period into January and February to protect the public interest and protect the National Health Service,” he said.
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