Nicola Sturgeon hints at fresh restrictions ‘tighter than those in Level Four’
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs explicitly this afternoon that the “severity of the situation we face” means she could not rule out imposing new lockdown rules.
Her comments come as data from Public Health Scotland revealed that yesterday, 42.8 per cent of positive tests processed for Scotland in the Lighthouse labs had the S gene drop out that is indicative of the new strain.
Today, Scotland tallied a record 2,045 coronavirus cases.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMs Sturgeon said the figures proved the new, more infectious strain was “fast becoming dominant” in Scotland.
“The severity of this challenge means we simply cannot rule out restrictions that are even tighter than those in the current level four,” she told MSPs.
“We continue to assess the situation carefully on a daily basis and will keep parliament updated should changes be required over the remainder of the festive period.”
Level four restrictions are currently in place across all of mainland Scotland following a one-day Christmas relaxation of coronavirus rules.
Ms Sturgeon insisted that the planned phased reopening of schools across Scotland would go ahead, but added that it was subject to constant assessment.
Schools are set to welcome back the children of key workers in early January, with other pupils starting the new term with online classes on January 11.
In-person lessons are due to restart for the majority of pupils on January 15.
Parents, Ms Sturgeon said, would be informed of any changes as soon as possible.