Edinburgh will remain at level three over fears Capital infection rate is rising

Edinburgh’s coronavirus restriction level is set to remain at level three, over fears the rate of infection in the capital is rising.

Edinburgh’s coronavirus restriction level is set to remain at level three this week, over fears the rate of infection in the capital is rising.

On Friday, directors from Public Health Scotland dashed the hopes of Edinburgh City Council officials when they indicated the capital is likely to stay in level three coronavirus restrictions, due to a perceived increase in virus transmissions.

The Scottish government is set to announce the latest review of the local coronavirus level restrictions on Tuesday, ahead of which council mandarins have requested a meeting with Deputy First Minister John Swinney to plead the city’s case.

If a reduction to level two cannot be agreed, then council chiefs are set to lobby for a slight reduction in the severity of level three measures, including allowing restaurants and pubs to open later.

Last week, council leader Adam McVey told councillors he is ‘continuing to make the case’ for restaurants in the capital to be allowed extended opening hours.

In his monthly report, the Leith councillor also called on Edinburgh residents to ‘do our bit’ and stick to social distancing guidelines and prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is due to update on Scotland’s coronavirus levels in a statement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday. Currently, 11 council areas are at Level 4 – the highest tier of restrictions for Scotland. East Lothian will move from Level 3 to Level 2 of coronavirus restrictions from 6am on Tuesday.

Edinburgh will remain at level three over fears Capital infection rate is rising

Joseph Anderson, Local Democracy Reporter Service

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