Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sophie Law

Will lockdown be delayed in Scotland? Everything you need to know about 'Freedom Day'

Uncertainty remains over Scotland's so-called 'Freedom Day' after fears lockdown could be delayed over summer.

Nicola Sturgeon addressed the current coronavirus situation on Tuesday, where she said restrictions could be pushed back due to a rise in cases and hospital admissions.

The whole country had been due to move to the lowest Level Zero of its five-tier system from 28 June - also being known as Scotland's 'Freedom Day'.

With case rates now five times higher than it was in early May, it means plans for Scotland's routemap out of lockdown could once again change.

Here's everything we know about the country's lockdown situation:

Nicola Sturgeon addressed the current coronavirus situation on Tuesday (Getty Images)

Will lockdown be delayed in Scotland?

The easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland is likely to be pushed back by three weeks.

During Nicola Sturgeon's announcement, the SNP leader said there is unlikely to be any changes to Scotland's lockdown levels until July 19.

This is because the Scottish Government want enough people to be vaccinated against the virus before easing to the lowest tier level to avoid another wave of infections and hospital admissions.

Over the last month there has been a rise in cases due to the Delta variant, which originated in India.

Under the Scottish Government's previously published routemap out of lockdown, all of the country was meant to be placed at Level 0 from June 28 signalling a somewhat return to normality.

Instead it is now likely health experts will recommend a three week period from June 28 to carry out as many second doses as possible.

However, the First Minister has been careful to avoid offering fixed dates for when lockdown restrictions will come to an end in Scotland.

It means the country's mainland council areas will remain in either level one or level two, although many island communities including Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles are already in level zero.

It comes as Boris Johnson confirmed England's so-called "Freedom Day" has also been pushed back four weeks from June 21 until July 19.

When will a decision be made?

The Scottish Government want enough people to be vaccinated against the virus (Getty Images)

The formal decision on what level each area of Scotland will be in will not be taken until next week, meaning Scots are yet to find out if lockdown has been officially delayed.

But the First Minister said it was "reasonable to indicate now that I think it unlikely that any part of the country will move down a level from June 28".

She said on Tuesday: "Our next full review of the protection levels is scheduled for next week. This will consider whether any changes are possible from June 28 onwards – a date when we had hoped we would see the whole country move down to Level 0.

"I will confirm our decision to Parliament 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 I think it unlikely that any part of the country will move down a level from June 28.

"Instead, it is likely that we will opt to maintain restrictions for a further three weeks from June 28 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."

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
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.