Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Laura Ferguson

Covid Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon to announce latest lockdown decision today

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to announce the latest decisions on easing covid restrictions in Scotland.

The Scottish Government had previously indicated it hoped to move all of Scotland to the Level 0 - the lowest level of restrictions under the framework - by June 28.

However, with earlier plans to move Scotland out of lockdown put on hold, Scotland could see the decision being delayed in a move similar to England's.

The continued rise of cases across the country and the emergence of the new, highly contagious Delta variant could all have a major impact on the decision.

Scotland has previously been warned by experts and politicians that the country is at the beginning of a third wave.

Ms Sturgeon will make the announcements to MSPs in the Scottish Parliament after 2pm today.

Follow today's live blog for all the latest covid and lockdown news - including the FM's announcement as it happens

Meanwhile, Professor Jason Leitch yesterday warned the first dose of coronavirus vaccine only offers about 30% protection from the "horrid" Delta variant.

Scotland's national clinical director stressed the need to get both vaccinations to offer "decent" protection and suggested eight to 10 weeks of progress thanks to the vaccine had been "lost" because of the variant, first identified in India.

He said: "The Delta variant has changed the game in one crucial way.

"Everything still works - distancing, ventilation, handwashing all still works - but what's new about the Delta variant, and this is horrid, and we've learned it increasingly over the last few weeks, is the second dose is required for decent protection.

"You get about 30% protection from one dose, you get 80 to 85% from two.

"So therefore, if you're thinking of this as a timeline, we've lost about eight to 10 weeks on that journey.

"We vaccinated about half the country's adults twice, now we need to get that up."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.