Glasgow 'likely' to be back in Tier 3 restrictions on Friday
Nicola Sturgeon has again confirmed level 4 measures in place for 11 local authority areas will end this week
The First Minister has said it is “perhaps likely” Glasgow and other parts of Scotland living under the toughest level of coronavirus restrictions will be back in Tier 3 on Friday.
At her daily media briefing in Edinburgh Nicola Sturgeon confirmed Level 4 lockdown restrictions - currently in place in 11 local authority areas - will end this week.
It comes ahead of a review of coronavirus measures on Tuesday.
It’s as Scotland comes close to hitting a measure that will show the spread of the virus is back under control in the country.
Ms Sturgeon said the “percentage of tests coming back positive at the moment has come down again to much closer to the 5% that the World Health Organisation says is important for assessing weather or not the virus is under control”.
The latest figures show the daily test positivity rate is 6.7%, up from 5.2% on the previous day, with one more death recorded in the last 24 hours and 677 positive tests.
The numbers of new cases has been falling over the last few weeks, Ms Sturgeon said, adding current measures to supress the virus are working.
Changes to Scotland's five-tier system of coronavirus restrictions will be announced on Tuesday and come into effect on Friday, with the Cabinet making a final decision in the next 24 hours as to what level each council is placed into.
“Our decisions will be based on the trajectory of the virus in each local authority area, as well as the need to protect capacity in the NHS, and we will also consider the social and economic harms that come from the restrictions,” Ms Sturgeon said.
The First Minister added the Scottish Government will continue to take a “cautious and careful approach” to changes to the levels.
Ms Sturgeon said the arrival of supplies of the Covid-19 vaccine in Scotland over the weekend is “positive news” but cautioned there will be logistical challenges in distributing doses.
She said: “This is obviously extremely positive news.
“As we've said before, the use of vaccination, in time, should enable all of us to return to conditions which are much, much more like normal life.
“But vaccination is a major logistical exercise and it will take time to work our way through the vaccination programme.”
The First Minister said there is still a need to be cautious over the festive period and to continue to follow the restrictions.
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