SCOTLAND’S First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will provide an update on the Omicron variant of coronavirus in Holyrood this afternoon after a ninth case was identified in the country.
The variant, which was first identified in South Africa, may be quicker spreading than Delta according to scientists. A number of rule changes have been brought in following the spread of the variant, with contacts of suspected cases needing to self-isolate regardless of vaccination status or age, and compulsory PCR tests for arrivals in the UK.
In England face coverings are again compulsory in shops, public transport and other indoor settings.
On Tuesday morning Health Secretary Humza Yousaf confirmed there had been three new cases reported in Scotland, taking the total up from six. There are five cases in Lanarkshire and four in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, he told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland.
It comes after it was announced that booster vaccinations would be extended to everyone aged over 18, with the interval after the second dose cut from six to three months.
The minister said the “biggest constraining factor” on delivering so many further doses would be workforce issues.
He said authorities are working to ramp up the programme and “accelerate it as quickly as we possibly can”.
Sturgeon’s update on Omicron comes after she hosted a briefing on the variant with journalists on Monday morning.
During the briefing she told of how she and Welsh FM Mark Drakeford had written to the Prime Minister urging the UK to bring in tougher travel restrictions considering the Omicron situation. However, Downing Street rejected suggestions to introduce an eight-day self-isolation period for overseas arrivals, as well as further testing requirements.
Sturgeon also pledged to not “shy away” from difficult decisions following the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
READ MORE: Omicron: Scotland better placed than England to handle new variant, expert says
The Scottish First Minister told the SNP conference: “While I still hope it will not be necessary, if difficult decisions need to be made to keep us safe, we will not shy away from them.
“Steering the country through this winter is my priority. It is my duty.
“But no government can fight a virus alone, we all need to play our part.
“That was true before the detection of Omicron, and it is even more so now.”
Sturgeon will address parliament at around 2.15pm, before taking questions on Omicron and other health matters from MSPs in the Chamber. The session will be streaming on the Scottish Parliament website.
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