Stay at home more than ever, urges First Minister

People are being urged to stay at home more until at least the first week of January.

 

The message today from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to 'stick with' advice staying at home more than they normally would, in particular over Hogmanay and New Year's Day.

 

The size of any indoor social gatherings at home should be limited to no more than three households and lateral flow tests should be taken before mixing with others.

 

A further 15,849 positive cases have now been recorded in Scotland, making it a new record, although the number of people in hospital with Covid has remained broadly stable so far.

 

Rising numbers of people in hospital with Covid in England could be a sign of things to come in Scotland, she warned. Caution needs to be exercised, she said.

 

There will be no immediate changes to the current Covid rules or public advice and Ms Sturgeon said the government hopes to make a decision on isolation rules in the week ahead, with any changes starting from January 5.

 

Decisions have, however, been reached on the allocating £207m of the £375m being made available for business support.

 

'Councils are now working to get that money into bank accounts as fast as possible,' she said.

 

Ms Sturgeon reported excellent progress in the boost programme, urging anyone not already vaccinated to get their jags. 'It's never too late,' she said. The First Minister also said anyone choosing not to get their jag was acting 'irresponsibly'.

 

Speaking about the vaccination programme, she said: 'We do have enough capacity to reach the target of getting 80 per cent of eligible adults boosted before the bells. What we need is the high demand and for people to come forward to get their jag.'

 

She ended today's briefing to Scottish parliament by saying: 'The situation we face now is not what any of us want. And the period immediately ahead will not be easy. That said, I hope the clearer picture we will have in the next couple of weeks will also prove to be a much more positive picture.'

 

Red Cross volunteers are needed to help expand PCR testing in Lochgilphead, Tarbert and Dunoon, if interested go to volunteer.redcross.org.uk