First Minister confirms lockdown will remain in force until at least mid-February
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Scotland's lockdown is to remain in force as Covid-19 transmission remains too high for restrictions to be relaxed, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.
The current measures will stay in place throughout mainland Scotland and in some island communities until at least the middle of February, the First Minister said.
Schools across the country will also continue to use remote learning until at least the middle of next month except in the case of vulnerable children and those of key workers.
In an update to the Scottish Parliament, Ms Sturgeon said that lockdown appears to be having an impact on case numbers – but transmission of the virus remains too high to relax restrictions.
Nobody who lives in an area under lockdown should leave or remain outside their home except for essential purposes such as caring responsibilities, outdoor exercise and work that cannot be done from home.
These measures will be kept under consideration and parliament will be updated following a review by the cabinet on February 2.
Ms Sturgeon said: “Any relaxation of lockdown while case numbers remain high, even though they might be declining, could quickly send the situation into reverse.
“We believe that the lockdown restrictions – and the sacrifices everyone continues to make – are beginning to have an impact. However, it is important to be cautious.
“I continue to be very grateful to people across the country for their patience and resilience in the face of this extraordinary challenge.
“At the moment, lockdown is the best way of keeping each other safe, as vaccination continues. It is how we can protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
Barra and Vatersay will move into lockdown from Wednesday following a sharp increase in infection rates there. The rest of the Western Isles will remain in level three.