Coronavirus in Scotland RECAP: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says planned May 17 lockdown easing will ‘go ahead’ | pubs and cinemas to reopen | Moray still facing covid spike | 10 relaxed coronavirus rules
Hello, and welcome to our live blog for Tuesday, May 11.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to confirm today that Covid rules will be relaxed further next week – and you can get all the updates in our dedicated live blog.
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Coronavirus in Scotland LIVE: Nicola Sturgeon confirmed on Tuesday that Covid rules will be relaxed further next week
Key Events
- FM eases rules on indoor visits
- Pubs and restaurants allowed to serve alcohol indoors
- Meeting indoors and hugging from Monday
- Scotland’s islands will move to Level 1
Most of Scotland will move to Level 2 of Covid-19 restrictions on Monday, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed at a Scottish Government coronavirus briefing.
Coming up: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is due to give the latest lockdown update at 12.15. Follow it live here.
Nicola Sturgeon lockdown announcement LIVE: Watch the First Minister unveil next steps in Scotland’s exit from lockdown
Watch Nicola Sturgeon's coronvirus lockdown statement live as further easing measures to be announced
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will address Scotland as First Minister for the first time since the election to announce further lockdown easing.
Night time economy ‘left in limbo’, industry body claims
A body representing night time economy businesses – which is suing the Scottish Government – has said the sector has been “left in limbo” over reopening due to a lack of clarity on dates from the Scottish Government.
Ahead of the First Minister announcing what is expected to be further easing of restrictions on Tuesday, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) Scotland has called for more certainty for the sector.
NTIA Scotland has previously launched legal action against the Scottish Government, which it says is proceeding “at pace”, over the emergency coronavirus legislation put in place last year.
NTIA Scotland chairman, Mike Grieve, said: “As our neighbours south of the border prepare to unlock and remove all restrictions within the coming weeks, in Scotland we remain stuck in perpetual limbo with still no indicative date for reopening or even an outline of the conditions which will allow nightlife to restart.
“We again ask the Scottish Government to work with us directly and urgently on establishing a constructive path towards the unrestricted reopening of the culturally important and economically valuable night time economy sector and to save the thousands of jobs currently at risk.
“Meantime, our legal action continues to gather support as we await a full response from Scottish Government legal representatives.”
New study will explore Covid immune response in patients with antibody deficiency
A new study will look at the immune response to natural coronavirus infection and vaccination in patients with antibody deficiency.
The Covid infection in patients with Antibody Deficiency (COVAD) study is part of a group of national studies examining the immune responses in patients considered at high risk of Covid-19.
Immunodeficiency patients are considered vulnerable or extremely vulnerable to the virus and have had to undertake preventative measures to minimise their risk of exposure to the virus, including shielding.
Patients with antibody deficiency do not make good responses – if any – to most vaccines, but it is not known whether they will respond to coronavirus jabs.
COVAD chief investigator, Alex Richter, professor of clinical immunology at the University of Birmingham, and consultant clinical immunologist at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Nationally, a number of patients with immunodeficiency have had severe or prolonged illness with Covid-19.
“Understanding why some patients do well and others don’t is so important.
“Being unable to clear the virus is not just a problem to the patient but is potentially a public health problem too.”
Government warned Scottish culture is facing a 'lost future' unless restrictions are lifted in line with England
Government warned Scottish culture is facing a 'lost future' unless restrictions are lifted in line with England
Scotland's cultural and creative industries are facing "a lost future" if the Scottish Government keeps social distancing restrictions in place when they are lifted south of the border next month, campaigners have warned.
Coronavirus Scotland: Where is Moray, why is it pronounced Murray, how bad is the covid outbreak, will Nicola Sturgeon lift restrictions?
Where is Moray, why is it pronounced Murray, how bad is the covid outbreak, will Nicola Sturgeon lift restrictions?
As Nicola Sturgeon is set to outline plans for the next lockdown easing in Scotland, many questions are being asked about the situation in Moray and whether or not it will follow the country in restriction lifting.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said data showing a drop in coronavirus-related deaths indicated “our strategy is working”.
Fall in Covid deaths in all age groups over 50
Deaths involving Covid-19 among people in all age groups 50 and over have fallen by at least 96% since the second-wave peak, the latest ONS figures suggest.
A total of 127 Covid-19 deaths in the 70-and-over age group occurred in England and Wales in the week ending April 23, down from 7,416 deaths in the week ending January 22 – a drop of 98%.
Deaths for those aged 65-69 fell 97% in the same period, with drops of 96% for those aged 60-64, 97% for those aged 55-59 and 98% for those aged 50-54.
Deaths that occurred in the most recent week of reporting – the week to April 30 – are still being registered.
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