THERE will not be another lockdown in Scotland in the foreseeable future, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
The First Minister addressed speculation about potential further measures after reports suggested she was set to confirm “circuit-breaker” restrictions.
The SNP leader said her cabinet had not reached a decision on new measures. They will meet again tomorrow, with an announcement to be made in Parliament afterwards.
The new measures could be a mixture of regional and national, taking into account "economic and social harms".
Speaking at the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing, Sturgeon ruled out several potential measures, including any form of lockdown.
The First Minister explained that there are no plans for nationwide travel bans, though local restrictions may come into force.
She also ruled out the reimposition of “stay home” guidance, a shutdown of the economy or any form of school closures.
READ MORE: Covid-19 in Scotland: 800 new cases and two deaths recorded
The First Minister said: “We are not proposing another lockdown. At this stage, not even on a temporary basis. We're not going to be asking you to stay inside your own homes in the way we did back in March.
“And while we have been asking people to think carefully about non-essential travel, especially overseas and I would ask that again. And while restrictions on travel may sometimes be an option, may sometimes be necessary for hotspot areas we are not about to impose travel restrictions on the whole of the country.
“We're not about to shut down the entire economy. We're not about to halt the mobilisation of the NHS, it is vital that our national health service is there for non-Covid conditions, as well as for anything that we have to deal with in relation to Covid.
“And apart from the October holidays which are already planned. We are not proposing to close schools, either wholly or even partially.
She added: “So I hope all of that gives people some reassurance. However, we are considering, as I've indicated already what additional targeted steps we can take over the next couple of weeks in addition to the household restrictions currently in place.”
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