Nicola Sturgeon has today confirmed that Scotland is ‘unlikely’ to move to level zero of restrictions in the next couple of weeks due to increasing cases of the virus.
Under the Scottish Government’s route map out of lockdown, Nicola Sturgeon gave the deadline of June 21 to decide if the country should move to level 0 of restrictions on June 28 - which would be the lowest level of Covid measures.
But speaking live from the Scottish Parliament today, the First Minister indicated that the country looks set to extend Scotland’s lockdown from June 21 for another three weeks.
Nicola Sturgeon cited ‘a rising curve in infections’ and concerns about the Delta variant among the reasons for the likely lockdown extension.
The First Minister said that Scotland still needs ‘more time’ to get ahead on vaccines as there is ‘still a high proportion of the population' who are unvaccinated.
It comes as the UK Government also announced that they would be extending their lockdown measures for another three weeks, dashing the hopes of a ‘freedom day’ on June 21.
Speaking live from the Scottish Parliament today, Nicola Sturgeon said: “Our next full review of the protection levels is scheduled for next week. This will consider whether any changes are possible from 28 June onwards – a date when we had hoped we would see the whole country move down to level 0."
"I will confirm our decision to https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/all-about/politics
following the full review next week."
"However, given the current situation - and the need to get more people fully vaccinated before we ease up further - it is reasonable to indicate now that it is unlikely that any part of the country will move down a level from 28 June.
"Instead, it is likely that we will opt to maintain restrictions for a further three weeks from 28 June and use that time to vaccinate - with both doses - as many more people as possible."
"Doing that will give us the best chance, later in July, of getting back on track and restoring the much greater normality that we all crave.”
