Scotland is now back in a nation-wide lockdown like the one we saw last March.
That means stricter conditions than the level four restrictions the mainland has been living under in recent weeks, in a bid to curb a significant increase in the number of coronavirus infections.
We’re now required by law to stay at homes apart from for essential purposes, like food shopping, caring responsibilities or exercise.
It also means anyone who can work from home needs to, while people in the shielding category have been advised not to go out to work at all.
Outdoor gatherings have been restricted to one-on-one meet-ups, though under 12s do not count toward that limit.
With the exception of key worker and vulnerable children, pupils will now have remote learning until at least the start of February.
These new restrictions are due to last until the end of the month, though First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned they could be extended.
Travel restrictions between council areas, and in and out of Scotland are still in effect
More restrictions come into effect today as part of lockdown. Places of worship will need to shut other than for broadcasting a service, or conducting a marriage or funeral. The numbers who can attend a wedding or civil ceremony is back down to the legal minimum of five
Wakes and post-funeral gatherings are now banned. Some additional premises, retailers and service providers also need to close. This includes showroom elements of larger retailers and ski centres. The one metre physical distancing exemption for workplace canteens has also ended.
On the 13th of January, the First Minister outlined six intended changes to Scotland’s coronavirus lockdown measures.
On the 18th of January, Scotland has suspended all travel corridors. This means;
The First Minister spoke on Tuesday 19th January, stating that the Stay at Home order will remain in place until at least mid-February.
It is a priority to get children back to school as quickly as possible, however Schools will remain closed to everyone except those who are vulnerable or parents are key workers until at least mid-February where a phased return may be an option.
The vaccination program is progressing well & on track to be vaccinating more than 400,000 per week by the end of February. More than 90% of care home residents and 70% of care home workers, frontline health workers and care workeds have received their first dose of the vaccine.
Friday 22nd Jan – The UK Government has opened a new walk-through coronavirus testing centre at Bridge Street Car Park in Paisley (PA1 1XN). The centre is easily accessible for people without a car.
The test centre is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history. In Scotland, this comprises of six drive through sites, 26 walk-through sites, 21 mobile units, plus the Glasgow Lighthouse Lab which is working round the clock to process samples.
In Scotland, the UK Government is providing all Covid testing and test processing outside of the NHS. Around two thirds of all daily tests are provided by the UK Government, in support of Scotland’s health services.
Tests must be booked in advance at NHS Inform or by calling 0800 028 2816. People should only book at test if they have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste).
This is in addition to the following walk-in test sites around Glasgow & the West:
View the full story here.
Monday 25th Jan – A full list of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde mass vaccination centres has been released.
Glasgow
Alexandria
Barrhead
Bearsden
Clydebank
Dumbarton
Giffnock
Greenock
Johnstone
Kirkintilloch
Paisley
Renfrew
Thursday 28th Jan – Lockdown restrictions will continue until at least the end of next month. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the number of people in hospital is still around 30% higher than last Spring with a further 82 deaths overnight and 1201 positive tests in the last 24 hours.
On Tuesday 2nd February, the First Minster announced that Lockdown WILL remain in place until at least the end of February, including stay at home order.
Coronavirus infections have halved over the last three weeks, but pressure on the NHS remains severe, higher than during the peak of the first lockdown – restrictions are working but must continue.
The First Minister also announced that Scotland will introduce a “managed quarantine” for everyone arriving in the country, not just certain nations identified as having mutant covid strains.
This month will see regular testing widened to primary care workers such as GPs, dentists and pharmacists. Wants to extend testing into health settings such as mental health and addiction services, palliative care workers. She also announced that financial support to self isolate will be extended to everyone earning less than the real living wage.
The FM is also acutely aware of the impact home learning is having on children and parents. Says ScotGov has very limited room to maneouvre, but will use all that room. Schools in Scotland will start returning this month, following the February mid-term break.
This phased gradual return from the 22nd will see P1-P3 pupils go back first, with part-time return for senior students with focus on practical work for practical qualifications. FM stresses plans are for less than 10% of secondary pupils in building at any one time.
Everyone who works in educational settings will be offered at-home testing twice a week, as will secondary pupils.
FM says this return for schools comes at the cost of continued mitigating measures such as social distancing and travel restrictions. Says this is the necessary trade off to provide more normality for our young people.
On Tuesday 9th February, the First Minister and Professor Jason Leitch spoke at the daily briefing.
They stated that when everyone over 70 and those with serious clinical vulnerability have had their first dose, attention will turn to conserving supplies for second doses. They also warned that they are expecting a dip in supplies of vaccines in coming months, which is a UK wide problem.
The First Minister stressed that vaccinations are proceeding as planned despite Storm Darcy & told of no reports of vaccination centres being closed. She urged people to attend their pre-booked appointments, however If people feel like they can’t attend, they should rebook.
A fresh warning was also made about some ongoing scams that are around – Covid vaccines are free, no money or bank details required. The vaccination programme will never engage with people via email.
Fresh financial support for childminders was also announced. The one million pound fund is being increased to 3.2 million pounds.
Wednesday 10th February – Scotland has now vaccinated a MILLION people at greatest risk from Coronavirus.
As of Tuesday 23rd February, 1,465,241 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 43,203 have received their second dose. The entire adult population of Scotland should be offered a first dose of the covid vaccine by the end of July, supplies allowing.
The First Minister said that Scotland should be able to move fully back to level system from the last week in April. All areas of the county in level four – including much of Glasgow and the west – will be able to move to level three, which would mean the much welcomed reopening of non essential retail, hospitality, hairdressers and gyms.
As indicated earlier, it’s hoped from March 15th remaining primary school year pupils will return to class, as will more secondary school pupils. From 5th of April, the ‘hope and expectation’ is that the stay at home order will be lifted.
The roadmap for Scotland’s proposed exit of Lockdown is outlined below.
Monday 1st March 2021 – As of yesterday morning, 1,593,695 people have received their first dose of a vaccine. 76,512 have now had their second dose.
Three cases of the new Brazilian variant of coronavirus have been confirmed in Scotland. They travelled into Scotland via Paris and London. When the three tested positive, they self-isolated for ten days & there is no reason to believe this variant is circulating publically.
Updated Monday 1st March 2021, 16:21pm
For full guidelines & latest up to date information, visit gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/
