THE First Minister has given Scots “advance notice” that difficult decisions on coronavirus restrictions are likely to come within days.
Nicola Sturgeon urged Scots to “rigorously” follow coronavirus guidelines if they want to avoid a full lockdown.
This morning it emerged Boris Johnson is planning for new restrictions to be brought in south of the Border as soon as next week, but it is thought the measures will stop short of the full lockdown we saw earlier this year.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has called on the UK Government to implement a full lockdown in England, coinciding with half-term to minimise disruption to pupils’ education. However Matt Hancock said this would be the “last line of defence”.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson considering new restrictions across England as Covid cases rise
Both England and Scotland have seen increased coronavirus cases, recently recording their highest daily cases since May.
The First Minister says she hopes to have discussions with the other UK nations and come to an arrangement on the path ahead.
Sturgeon told the briefing: "The bottom line here is that this virus is on the rise again, our case numbers are not yet rising as fast as they were back in March, but they are rising again and they are rising quite rapidly."
She warned that the percentage of older people developing the illness has increased.
Sturgeon went on: "It may well be that if we are to interrupt and break this growth, we will have to do more over the next few weeks, and this weekend will be critical in the assessment of how best to do that.
"Today, I want to give the nation advance notice that the coming days are likely to see some hard, but necessary decisions."
The First Minister added she wants to avoid another full-scale lockdown.
The announcement came after new restrictions were implemented in north-east England. The temporary measures mean pubs and restaurants must shut early while meeting people outside your household or bubble in private homes and gardens is banned.
People are also advised not to socialise outside their household in public venues.
New restrictions are also due to come in across Lancashire, Merseyside, parts of the Midlands and West Yorkshire.
People in separate households will be banned from meeting each other at home or in private gardens, while pubs and restaurants will also shut early in some areas.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel