Scottish Parliament recalled amid concern over 'rapid' rise in Covid cases
The First Minister says all steps must be taken to slow the spread of the virus
Last updated 3rd Jan 2021
The Scottish Parliament's being recalled amid concerns over a rapid rise in Covid cases.
The First Minister will make an urgent statement to MSPs in Holyrood tomorrow (Monday) afternoon.
It follows a meeting of the Scottish Government’s emergency resilience committee, chaired by Nicola Sturgeon on Saturday, which heard that "quick and decisive action is needed", to contain a faster-spreading strain of the virus, now becoming dominant in Scotland.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The recent, rapid increase in Covid cases in Scotland, driven by the new variant of the virus, is a very serious concern.
"The even steeper rises and severe pressure on the NHS that is being experienced in some other parts of the UK is a sign of what may lie ahead in Scotland if we do not take all possible steps now to slow the spread of the virus, while the vaccination programme progresses.
"The First Minister has therefore asked that Parliament be recalled from recess on Monday afternoon to allow her to make an urgent statement on further measures to supress transmission.
"This will come after a meeting of the Cabinet on Monday morning. The Education Recovery Group will also meet on Monday."
But it adds: “The strong message remains people should stay at home as much as possible and avoid non-essential interaction with others.”
A further 2,464 people in Scotland have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours - that's 15.2 per cent of all the tests carried out and one of the highest daily increases since the pandemic began.
The First Minister says all steps must be taken to slow the spread of the virus, while the vaccines are rolled-out - leading some to speculate of plans for another full lockdown, like the one introduced in March last year, with a potential extension of school closures.
Posting on her official Twitter account, Ms Sturgeon said: "We, like other countries, are in a race between this faster spreading strain of Covid and the vaccination programme. As we work to vaccinate as quickly as possible, we must also do more to slow down the virus - to save lives & help the NHS care for all those who need it.
"All decisions just now are tough, with tough impacts. Vaccines give us (a) way out, but this new strain makes the period between now & then the most dangerous since start of pandemic. So the responsibility of government must be to act quickly & decisively in the national interest."
Meanwhile, it's claimed teachers should be given priority for Covid-19 vaccinations - to help keep Scotland's schools open.
Parents campaign group UsForThem warns forcing children to be home-schooled would be damaging for education and the welfare of young people, particularly those from deprived areas.
Organiser Jo Bisset said: “Either teachers are at more risk of contracting Covid-19 and therefore need to be vaccinated as a matter of urgency. Or they are not and therefore schools should remain open as they have since August.
“Whatever the scenario, if we move teachers to the front of the queue to be offered the vaccine, it will ensure schools definitely stay open.
“As it stands, the re-opening date is January 18 but already there is significant agitation for that date to be extended. And if it is, schools simply won’t open again this academic year, and that will be a catastrophe for young people and struggling families.
“It’s the responsibility of this government to ensure children receive a good education, and the only way to do that is keeping the school gates open. If that means moving teachers to the front of the vaccination queue, then that’s what has to happen.”