Glasgow lockdown: Covid-19 restrictions on indoor household gatherings in west of Scotland expanded to Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire

Restrictions on indoor household gatherings in the west of Scotland have been expanded to cover two more council areas after a rise in coronavirus cases, meaning an estimated 1.1 million people are now affected.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced the measures will apply to residents in Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire from midnight tonight.

It comes a week after the restrictions were re-imposed in Glasgow City, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire.

In a series of tweets published this evening, Ms Sturgeon said: "Regrettable but necessary in light of sharply rising numbers that restrictions on indoor household gatherings require to be continued for a further week in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire, and extended to Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire"

An aerial image of Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire. Pic: TreasureGalore/Shutterstock

Ms Sturgeon said public health advice suggests one of the main drivers of transmission continues to be household gatherings, adding: "And it is in these gatherings, rather than pubs, that older & more vulnerable people may be at greater risk of infection."

She added that close attention will be paid in the coming weeks to hospitality and that councils involved will step up engagement and, if necessary, enforcement to ensure rules are complied with.

The First Minister said anyone living in these five council areas must not have people from other households visiting and that they should not visit other households in any part of Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon said people across Scotland should stick to the household limits – up to three different households and a total of eight people.

She stressed cases are rising across the UK and, while there has been no “significant” rise in hospital cases and deaths, this "may just be a matter of time."

The First Minister revealed on Monday thta a further 146 people tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland over the past 24 hours, including 78 cases in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area.

This total represents 2.4 percent of all newly tested individuals.

No new deaths of people who have tested positive have been reported - but Register Offices are now generally closed at weekends.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director