Nicola Sturgeon Covid update RECAP: First Minister confirms move to level 0 | Four deaths and 2,529 cases in 24 hours | Covid pressure on NHS is 'of concern'
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Covid Scotland RECAP: The latest updates on the pandemic on Tuesday, July 13
Key Events
- Scotland will move to level 0 from next week - but with slight modifications, FM says
- ‘Long covid is still a risk to everyone’
- Covid cases remaining high is ‘of concern’ to the Scottish Government
- Four new deaths and 2,529 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours
Covid cases remaining high is ‘of concern’ to the Scottish Government, FM says.
Hospital admissions and intensive care cases had spiked in recent weeks, rising from 171 people in hospital and 18 people in intensive care three weeks ago to 506 and 42 respectively in the latest data.
FM told MSPs on Tuesday during a briefing that these figures are a “cause for concern.”
“Hopefully, with new cases starting to fall, we will also see hospital admissions fall over the next few weeks,” she said.
“But, at the moment, the pressure on the NHS is of concern.
“First and foremost, it means a significant number of people suffering illness. It also means more pressure on a workforce that has already given so much.
“And, of course, it holds back NHS recovery. Every hospital bed occupied by a Covid patient is one less available to tackle the backlog of non-Covid care.”
FM said Scotland will go ahead and move to level 0 from next Monday, but mitigations such as mandatory face coverings will remain in place.
She said lifting certain mitigations would “put all of us at greater risk”, as some measures are relaxed.
“So while Scotland will move to Level 0 from next Monday, we will do so with certain modifications to our indicative plans,” she said.
“This is intended to ensure that our pace of easing restrictions is sensible in light of the challenge we continue to face from the Delta variant.
“And I will confirm that certain mitigations – such as the mandatory wearing of face coverings – will remain in place, not just now but, in all likelihood, for some time to come.
“Measures like the continued wearing of face coverings are important, not just to give added protection to the population as a whole, but also to give protection and assurance to those amongst us who are particularly vulnerable and previously had to shield.”
‘Long covid is still a risk to everyone’, FM says
“Another reason to take the current level of infection seriously is the risk of long Covid,” says FM.
She said many people, including young people, who get the virus but never need hospital care could still suffer long covid.
It is a condition that experts don’t yet fully understand - but that it is causing misery for many, FM added.
“Indeed, it is one of the main reasons that we cannot be complacent about young people getting the virus.
“To say that it doesn’t matter - when we don’t yet fully understand what the long term consequences might be - would risk treating the younger generation as an experiment.
“We should not do that. These are just some of the reasons for continued caution - even as our optimism about the impact of vaccination continues to grow.”
Countries across Europe seeing sharp rise in cases
Several countries across Europe – for example Portugal and Spain – are now dealing with sharp rises in cases.
Holland has just reintroduced restrictions that were lifted at the end of June.
Israel has also seen a significant rise in cases as a result of Delta – despite its very high level of vaccination.
Some countries which did well in suppressing the virus last year – for example in the Asia and Pacific region - are now seeing cases rise.
Japan, for example, has decided not to allow spectators at the Olympics.
“As the Delta variant becomes more dominant in more countries, we are likely to see resurgences elsewhere too,” says FM.
“There is no doubt that Delta has become, unfortunately, something of a game- changer – even for countries on course to achieving full vaccine protection.
“So Covid remains a threat that we must treat seriously.”
From Monday 19 July, all parts of Scotland not currently there will move to level 0 - but with modifications in place
Here are some key points to the new changes:
- In level 0, up to 8 people from up to 4 households can meet indoors at home -compared to 6 people from 3 households in levels 1 and 2
- Up to 10 people from up to 4 households can meet in a public indoor space – such as a pub or restaurant.
- And up to 15 people from up to 15 households can meet outdoors - whether in a private garden or public place.
- Children under 12 already don’t count towards the total number of people. From Monday, they will not count towards the total number of households ether.
- In level 0 up to 200 people can attend weddings and funerals.
-Soft play centres can open – as they could at level 1, but not at level 2.
- Hospitality businesses, at level 0 - unlike in level 2 - there is no requirement for customers to pre-book a two-hour slot to go to a pub or restaurant. Customers will, however, still be required to provide contact details to assist Test & Protect. And they will still be required to wear face coverings except when seated.
- There will still be limits on the size of events and stadiam attendances - but these will increase outdoors to 2000 seated and 1000 standing, and indoors to 400.
Details on modifications to level 0 as restrictions ease in Scotland from next week
Changes from 19 July:
First modification:
Hospitality venues in level 0 - in all parts of Scotland - will require to close at midnight. This is a change to what the Scottish Government had previously indicated for level 0 which was that venues should follow local licensing rules.
“This reflects the fact that indoor hospitality - despite the sector’s sterling efforts - remains a relatively risky environment, particularly later at night when people may be less likely to follow rules,” FM added.
“A midnight closing time represents progress from level 1 and 2 but it will help mitigate some of this risk.”
Second modification
In indoor public places - as indicated previously - where there isn’t already a 1m rule in place, the physical distance requirement will reduce from 2m to 1m and will apply between different household groups.
In outdoor places - A limit on outdoor gatherings will be in place - this will be up to 15 people from up to 15 households.
“Because meeting outdoors is less risky than indoors, there will be no requirement to distance within these groups of 15,” FM said.
“However, for the next 3 weeks at least, there will be a requirement for 1m distancing between different groups of 15.”
She added that the Economy Secretary intends to work with the events sector on guidance to explore how events already organised might still go ahead, with appropriate modifications.
Third modification
Gradual return to the office was permitted in level 0, but this has now been postponed until 9 August when FM said she hopes this can go ahead.
“Until then we will continue to ask employers to support home working where possible,” she said.
“I know this will be disappointing for many businesses – and also some employees who are finding home-working hard.
“But this will reduce the extent to which people are meeting up in enclosed environments or travelling together, and so will help to contain transmission during this phase.”
Scotland’s move beyond level 0 still planned for 9 August, FM confirms
FM said the move to beyond level 0 on the 9 August is still the Scottish Government’s plan.
By then, it is expected that almost everyone over the age of 40 will have had their second vaccine dose at least two weeks previously.
She added: “However, as with today’s decisions, we will assess the data before coming to a final decision nearer the time, and I will provide a further update to Parliament in the week before 9 August.”
What about the requirement for those who have been in close contact of positive cases?
Those who have been double vaccinated - with at least two weeks having passed since the second dose - and take a PCR test that comes back negative - will not have to self isolate when in close contact with others who have tested positive.
FM confirmed further guidance on this will be published shortly.
Young people in education still have to self-isolate?
FM said the Scottish Government is in close contact with its education advisory group, seeking advice on whether, to what extent and with what mitigations we can remove the self isolation requirement for young people in education settings who are close contacts of positive cases.
She said: “We will set out our conclusions well in advance of the new term.
“We are of course still waiting for advice from the JCVI on whether children over 12 should be vaccinated.”
Self-isolation no longer required for people coming from amber countries
From next Monday, self-isolation will no longer be required for people arriving from countries on the amber list, provided they are fully vaccinated through a UK vaccination programme and take a PCR test on the second day after arrival.
FM said: “We will continue to take a precautionary approach to the inclusion of countries on the amber list.”
She said the government still strongly advises against travelling overseas at this time.
“For the avoidance of doubt, let me be clear that anyone testing positive for, or experiencing symptoms of, Covid will still require to isolate for ten days,” she added.
‘We will not abandon you’, says FM to those who are more vulnerable and at higher risk
“For as long as necessary we will ask people to take sensible precautions - like the wearing of face coverings - to allow you, like everyone else, to enjoy more normal life again.
“We are also launching a survey this week for those on the highest risk list to tell us what additional support you need.
“And the Chief Medical Officer will write to you this week with further advice.
“Lastly, we know that there are around 13,000 people at high clinical risk who haven’t yet had both doses of vaccine.
“If you are one of them – and if you are able to get the vaccine – please do so.”
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