BORIS Johnson is to have an urgent phone call with Nicola Sturgeon today ahead of new restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus are announced.
The Prime Minister is to speak with the First Minister this afternoon, with a COBRA meeting to be held tomorrow to further discuss the next steps in controlling the spread of the disease.
It comes after Sir Patrick Valance, the UK Government's chief scientific adviser, said this morning that there could be as many as 50,000 new cases of the virus every day by the middle of October if the disease continues to spread as quickly as it is now. He warned if there were 50,000 new daily cases, this could lead to as many as 200 deaths a day.
Downing Street has confirmed that a call will take place later on today with the First Minister, as well as the other devolved governments.
READ MORE: Coronavirus in Scotland: New restrictions to come into force by Wednesday
Nicola Sturgeon said this morning that 'further and urgent' action on the disease would be announced within the next 48 hours. The Scottish Government learned of the plans for a Cobra meeting during a meeting with Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove on Saturday.
However, the First Minister said it was "frustrating" that there had not been a date set for the Cobra gathering.
She also said she would be speaking to the Prime Minister this afternoon.
The First Minister told today's briefing: "In that call, I will impress upon the Prime Minister my view that we need decisive, urgent and as far as possible given our individual responsibilities, co-ordinated action across the UK.
"I will be clear that I am willing to allow a bit more time for four-nations discussions to take place before making final decisions for Scotland, but I will be equally clear that the urgency of this situation will mean that we cannot, must not and will not wait too long."
She told today's briefing on the pandemic that she was closely considering a number of measures with a decision to be taken very soon.
"The Scottish Cabinet will meet tomorrow to take stock and I am very clear it must be in a position to decide the way ahead for Scotland within the next 48 hours," she said.
"I need to be absolutely straight with people that additional restrictions will be put in place over the next couple of days.
"Hopefully this will be with four nations alignment but if necessary it will have to happen without that.
"I intend to make a full statement to Parliament later this week, tomorrow or Wednesday I hope [outlining] the steps that the government has decided are necessary and to set out the rationale for them."
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