Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland's coronavirus transmission is higher than we're comfortable with

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned that the current rate of new coronavirus cases trebling every three weeks is not sustainable as autumn approaches.

Nicola Sturgeon gave a coronavirus update today.

Speaking at her daily coronavirus briefing on the day that new ‘rule of six’ restrictions came into place, Ms Sturgeon said the transmission rate of Covid-19 in Scotland is ‘higher than we are comfortable with’.

She confirmed the number of new cases is now trebling every three weeks.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Transmission is higher than we can be comfortable with right now and that is the case across the country.

"New cases in Scotland have been more than trebling every three weeks in the last few weeks. That pattern is not sustainable. If we all act collectively now, our hope is that we can stem that increase."

She added: "I'm asking everybody to stick to these new rules of six people in two households."

These new mandatory restrictions on the number of people and households who can meet at one time come into force today after they were announced last week.

From today, the new law limits social gatherings to a maximum of six people from two households both indoors and outdoors.

In pubs and restaurants, there are new requirements to wear face coverings when not eating or drinking.

The Scottish government is strongly encouraging people to download the free Protect Scotland mobile app which alerts users if they have been in close contact with another app user who has tested positive for the virus.

To date, 900,000 people have already downloaded the app which the NHS hopes will limit the need for further local lockdowns.

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