Lockdown review today

Author: Rob WallerPublished 10th Sep 2020
Last updated 10th Sep 2020

Nicola Sturgeon is set to announce whether Scotland is going to follow the lead of the England and reduce the number of people who can meet in groups as part of efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The First Minister will formally announce the latest review of lockdown restrictions north of the border to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

And with Prime Minister Boris Johnson having announced that people in England "must not meet socially in groups of more than six'' from Monday, with cases of coronavirus currently rising in Scotland, Ms Sturgeon had already warned her latest review was "likely to take a very cautious approach''.

Speaking on Wednesday, the First Minister said: "We can't rule out the need to make changes to the number of people allowed to gather together like those that were announced for England.

"We're carefully reviewing existing guidance and regulation, as well as considering what new steps may be necessary to keep Covid under control.''

Her comments came after the figures showed the average number of cases being reported over the past seven days had increased to 155 a day, up from 52 a day three weeks ago.

In Scotland the current advice is no more than eight people, from three different households can meet indoors - whereas up to 15 people from five households can meet up outside.

At her last review of lockdown Ms Sturgeon had indicated that sports stadia and some other venues that have remained closed may be able to reopen again from September 14.

But she has warned this week that it may not be possible to proceed with some relaxations, given the rise in case numbers.

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