What time is Nicola Sturgeon's daily briefing today? When will the First Minister announce latest review of lockdown restrictions?

Nicola Sturgeon could announce restrictions on social gatherings to handle covid spread north of the border on Thursday.

Nicola Sturgeon is due to announce any further changes to lockdown restrictions at her coronavirus briefing today (Sept 10) – including whether Scotland is to reduce the number of people who can meet in groups as part of efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

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And with Prime Minister Boris Johnson having announced that people in England “must not meet socially in groups of more than six” from Monday, with cases of coronavirus currently rising in Scotland, the First Minister had already warned her latest review was “likely to take a very cautious approach”.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Speaking on Wednesday, Ms Sturgeon said: “We can’t rule out the need to make changes to the number of people allowed to gather together like those that were announced for England.

“We’re carefully reviewing existing guidance and regulation, as well as considering what new steps may be necessary to keep Covid under control.”

Her comments came after the figures showed the average number of cases being reported over the past seven days had increased to 155 a day, up from 52 a day three weeks ago.

In Scotland the current advice is no more than eight people, from three different households can meet indoors – whereas up to 15 people from five households can meet up outside.

At her last review of lockdown Ms Sturgeon had indicated that sports stadia and some other venues that have remained closed may be able to reopen again from September 14.

But she has warned this week that it may not be possible to proceed with some relaxations, given the rise in case numbers.

Scotland entered into phase three of the route map out of lockdown after the July 9 review – but restrictions have been lifted in stages.

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Some changes – such as the reopening of schools – have gone ahead, while others have been held back until later in the phase.

The last phase three review led to indoor sports courts, gyms and swimming pools being allowed to reopen from August 31.

Ms Sturgeon will formally announce the latest review of lockdown restrictions to the Scottish Parliament around 12.20pm.

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