New coronavirus restrictions introduced down south, which Nicola Sturgeon said she could also adopt in Scotland, could be in place until spring next year amid fears of a second wave.
Boris Jonson has introduced a tough new coronavirus law that bans social gatherings of more than six people at indoor and outdoor gatherings in England following a sudden surge in new infections among young people.
Speaking at a Downing Street briefing today, the Prime Minister said: "We must act… I must do what is necessary to stop the spread of the virus and save lives."
The new restrictions mean two whole households will no longer be able meet if their numbers are greater than six and only one support bubble will be allowed, which means only one set of grandparents will be able to see their grandchildren.
Nicola Sturgeon has warned she is ready to follow Boris Johnson's major crackdown by cutting maximum gathering size and said she was "carefully" reviewing guidance on gatherings after the Prime Minister's announcement.
Speaking at the daily coronavirus briefing, 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 announced for English people last night."
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A three-month review of the new restrictions in England is set to take place in early December but government insiders have warned the new curbs are expected to be in place for six months and may even be tightened further, reports the Daily Record.
While the Prime Minister said he was hopeful some aspects of life could return to normal by Christmas, Patrick Whitty, the UK chief medical officer, said: ”The period between now and Spring is going to be difficult because this a respiratory virus.
"People should see this as the next block of time, but it unlikely to be over in two or three weeks.”
