Coronavirus in Scotland: 11 authorities across the country to move down to level three

The First Minister addressed Scottish Parliament on Tuesday to provide an update on the regional levels across the country.

She announced that the City of Glasgow, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, East and West Dunbartonshire, North and South Lanarkshire, East and South Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian will move down from level four to level three.

Level three will come into force in these areas from 6pm on Friday, December 11.

11 authorities in Scotland are to move down from level four to level three.

Retail in these areas will be allowed to operate under level three from 6am on Friday.

Inverclyde, Falkirk and Angus are moving down from level three to level two.

The City of Edinburgh will be remaining in level three as cases have risen slightly in the area.

The First Minister also added that lifting restrictions in Scotland’s second largest city so close to Christmas could lead to a negative impact on cases, and the Scottish Government wanted to make sure the numbers were stable before considering a move.

It is possible that Edinburgh will move down next week.

The eleven area’s moving into level three will also be reviewed, should any of them warrant moving down to level two.

Ms Sturgeon also mentioned the new coronavirus vaccine, saying: "It offers hope, at long last, that we may now be at the beginning of the end of this pandemic.

“I want to thank everyone involved, now and in the months ahead, in delivering what will be the biggest vaccination programme in our history.

“Today we should all allow ourselves a smile.

“But we must not drop our guard.”

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