Nicola Sturgeon updated the nation on lockdown restrictions that have been imposed since Boxing Day.
The First Minister spoke at the Scottish Parliament yesterday afternoon and touched on a range of subjects that will impact on Ayrshire residents.
Ms Sturgeon announced that lockdown will be until March at least but also confirmed the phased reopening of schools for some pupils reopening of schools.
1. Schools
Scottish Government ministers agreed that schools will reopen for some pupils will reopen on Monday after continued suppression of the virus.
- P1-3 kids head back to school from Monday, February 22.
- A very small cohort of senior phase students will return on a limited basis to carry out practical tasks for the alternative certification model for national qualifications. No more than 5 to 8 per cent of the secondary school roll should be in school at any time for this purpose
Vulnerable children, including a small increase in provision for children and young people with significant additional support needs, where there is a clear and demonstrable necessity can also return.
2. Holidays
The First Minister hinted that Easter holidays abroad and at home are likely to be off the table.
But she did say that while it was still highly unlikely that overseas holidays will be possible or advisable this summer, staycations might be – but this will depend on the data nearer the time.
3. Lockdown
Nicola Sturgeon said the key message remains 'stay at home' between now and March at least.
The First Minister did day that lockdown could be extended beyond that point but wouldn't last "any longer than absolutely necessary."
The Scottish Government is currently preparing 'strategic framework' that will form the basis of the country's exit from lockdown.
This document is expected to be published next week.
But Ms Sturgeon said that "because of the new, more infectious variant, our exit from lockdown is likely to be even more cautious than it was last summer."
4. Vaccine
As of yesterday morning, 1,288,004 people in Scotland had received their first dose of the vaccine.
It means that we have now given a first dose to 28% of the adult population in Scotland.
The Scottish Government insists that the vaccine programme has been speeding up in recent weeks.
The First Minister said: "We have met our mid-February target to offer the first dose of the vaccine to everyone over 70 and everyone with an extreme clinical vulnerability."
5. Cases
Nicola Sturgeon says that lockdown is working in Scotland.
In the first week of January, an average of more than 2,300 new cases every day were being recorded in Scotland.
The most recent figure is 810. The First Minister said: "That is a significant and sustained fall."
