More coronavirus restrictions expected as death toll tops 5,000
Click and collect and takeaway services could be next to see tougher measures introduced
Last updated 12th Jan 2021
Even tougher Covid-19 restrictions are likely to be introduced in Scotland as the confirmed death toll from the virus passed 5,000.
The latest daily coronavirus statistics show 54 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities to 5,023.
But the most recent figures from the National Records of Scotland - which record all deaths registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate - suggest the true total is 6,686.
Hospital numbers also continue to rise, with 1,717 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, up 53 in 24 hours, and 133 patients in intensive care, an increase of seven.
A total of 1,875 positive tests were also recorded in the past 24 hours.
Speaking during the Scottish Government's daily briefing, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her cabinet met on Tuesday to discuss further restrictions to combat the spread of the virus.
She said the cabinet discussed “whether there are any areas - takeaway, click and collect services being two examples - where we think there is a need to further tighten restrictions to reduce the occasions and reasons for people to be out of their homes at the moment”.
Ms Sturgeon added: “It may not be about saying you cannot have takeaway at all, but do we need to tighten up how that operates just to limit the potential for people coming together inside.”
Click and collect may not be stopped “altogether”, she said, but it was being considered if it should remain for non-essential services.
The First Minister will outline any changes to the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday.
She said she had some optimism over signs of case numbers stabilising, but said there may not be any easing of lockdown restrictions “as soon as the end of January”.
Outlining travel restrictions to tackle the virus, Ms Sturgeon said anyone coming to Scotland will need to show proof of a negative test from Friday.
The First Minister said those arriving in the country after 4am on Friday will need evidence from the past three days that they have tested negative.
The test will need to be “highly reliable”, she said, most likely meaning it will have to be a PCR test.
Young children may be exempt from the requirement.
“I want to be very clear here: this requirement for testing before entry to the country is seen not as a substitute for the protections and mitigations in place, but as an addition to those,” she said.
“Testing before entry to the country is not a magic solution to the risk of cases being imported, so it will reinforce rather than replace our current travel restrictions.”
Those travelling from countries not on the quarantine exemption list will still need to self-isolate on arrival.