People in Ayrshire have been told to ‘stay at home’ until the end of January as part of a new national lockdown – with schools to stay shut.
Nicola Sturgeon has announced that the strictest lockdown seen since March last year will come into force from midnight tonight.
The First Minister told how hospitals in Ayrshire and Arran are at 96 per cent of their Covid capacity.
The new restrictions will become law with people only permitted to leave home for essential reasons only.
The First Minister said the situation with the sharp rise in cases of COVID-19 was “very serious”.
Ms Sturgeon said: “From midnight tonight and the duration of January it will be a legal requirement to stay at home except in essential circumstances.”
The First Minister fears the new strain of coronavirus is “winning the race” against the roll out of the vaccination programme.
Ms Sturgeon added: “We must slow the virus down because it is spreading faster.
“Tougher restrictions are necessary.”
Ms Sturgeon revealed that almost half of positive cases of coronavirus in the last week are related to the new strain of coronavirus.
She added: “I am more concerned now than at any time since March last year.”
