Nicola Sturgeon Covid update RECAP: First Minister to address Scotland's lockdown restrictions as stricter Portugal travel rules come into force

Nicola Sturgeon is due to address parliament on Tuesday afternoon to give an update on the coronavirus situation in Scotland.

Follow along here for all of the updates throughout the day.

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Nicola Sturgeon Covid update RECAP: First Minister to address Scotland’s lockdown restrictions as stricter Portugal travel rules come into force

Key Events

  • All travellers returning from Portugal will have to isolate for 10 days
  • Calls to speed up vaccination programme in Scotland as all over 25’s in England and all adults in Wales are invited to apply for their vaccines

FM again on soft play: We have to take decisions based on our own clinical advise.

Understands there will be perceived inconsistencies.

Anas Sarwar: Also thanks those involved in the vaccination programme.

FM on soft play: Clinical advice that indoor environment coupled with specific mixing of soft play, is that it continues to be a risk.

FM responds to Douglas Ross: “None of this is easy”

Already doing the planning to children over 12 should JCVI approve it.

“As we face rising cases again, and as we are still learning about the efficacy of the virus...rising cases could lead to...hospitalisation and death.”

It would be “utterly irresponsible” to deny the reality that the rise in cases could lead to potential rise in hospitalisations.

Douglas Ross: Now is a chance to pause and reflect on the success of the vaccination programme.

He thanks volunteers and medical staff involved in the roll out.

FM: Getting vaccinated is likely to be the most important thing many of us will do this year.

FM: In summery, position still fragile and still has potential to put pressure on health service.

“On the up side...the vaccines do appear to be doing their jobs and that should give us all firm ground for optimism.”

FM: Encouraging evidence that the length of time that people are spending time in hospital is getting lower.

FM: Although cases are rising, data being assessed as to whether vaccinations are stopping hospitalisations and deaths.

FM has said that they are optimistic.

FM: Scot Gov awaiting advice on the vaccination of children.

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