Aberdeen remaining in lockdown for at least another week
Aberdeen is to remain in local lockdown for a third week as it is not yet safe to lift the restrictions, Nicola Sturgeon said.
Pubs and restaurants in the city will stay closed and restrictions on household gatherings and travel will remain in place.
The First Minster said she hopes to be able to lift the restrictions for "lower risk premises'', such as non-licensed cafes, from next Wednesday and a mid-week review will take place on Sunday.
Speaking at the Scottish Government's coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, the First Minister said while the situation in Aberdeen is "undoubtedly improving'' she is not "in a position to say that this outbreak is over or completely under control''.
Ms Sturgeon also gave the latest coronavirus figures in Scotland, including an update on various clusters.
While no coronavirus deaths have been reported in Scotland in the last 24 hours, the death total has increased by one to 2,492 due to a previous fatality being included in the figures.
The death was registered on April 21 but not included in original figures due to a delay.
A total of 19,457 people have tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up 50 from 19,407 the day before.
The First Minister said 4,216 people have died in Scotland with confirmed or suspected coronavirus, according to the National Records of Scotland.
Lockdown restrictions were reimposed on Aberdeen two weeks ago after a Covid-19 cluster was detected.
Ms Sturgeon said the outbreak is "by some distance the most significant outbreak'' Scotland had seen since lockdown measures were eased.
A total of 398 cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the Grampian area since July 26, she added, with 226 of these associated with the cluster linked to Aberdeen pubs.
The First Minister stressed measures to tackle the outbreak in the area are having an impact, with "some evidence that the original cluster linked with bars and nightlife is being contained''.
But she added: "We are also continuing to see a number of individual cases and other smaller clusters in the city.
"That is not necessarily unusual for an outbreak of this scale but it is something we must monitor very carefully because these cases don't appear to be linked to the original outbreak.''
While she acknowledged it is "disappointing'' the restrictions in the area cannot be lifted, Ms Sturgeon said "moving too quickly'' could risk the progress that has been made.
She added an immediate £1 million support fund will be made available for businesses in Aberdeen, with grants of up to £1,500 available for firms in the hospitality sector that have had to shut.
Other businesses that have "felt the financial impact of the restrictions'', such as hotels and shops, can also apply for funds.
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