Jason Leitch: 'It’s going to take well into next year before we can think about any form of normality'

Speaking on Radio Clyde, Jason Leitch said: “In the long term it’s going to take well into next year before we can think about any form of normality.

“We said we want to vaccinate the particularly at risk group by the summer if we get vaccine supply which depends on manufacturing and regulation.

“In the short term we are going to be living under pretty severe restrictions for a while unless we can find a way of dealing with this new variant, or it dies out or mutates to be a an easier version than a more difficult version, then we’re going to be living under more severe restrictions for some time to come.”

Mr Leitch’s comments come as mainland Scotland enters lockdown for at least the next few weeks.

All council areas, apart from the country’s islands, will be placed under Level 4 of the Scottish Government’s tiered coronavirus restrictions system.

From today, all non-essential retail and hospitality will be closed and additional travel restrictions have been imposed to curb the spread of the new strain of Covid-19.

The restrictions are due to be reviewed in three weeks.

Jason Leitch, Scotland's National Clinical Director picture: Scottish Government

Mr Leitch added: “The other thing I need from people is patience, it's going to take a bit longer yet.

"The vaccine is coming, and the vaccine works with this new variant. So, stay hopeful and stay safe.”

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