Nicola Sturgeon covid announcement RECAP: First Minister lifts most coronavirus restrictions for August 9 | masks remain mandatory | Social distancing scrapped | Nightclubs and stadium rules relaxed

Follow here for to look back on Tuesday’s updates on coronavirus in Scotland, the UK and around the world after Nicola Sturgeon updated Parliament.
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The First Minister addressed the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday afternoon at around 2 pm outlining what restrictions will loosen in Scotland in August.

Take a look back at what the First Minister said here.

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Coronavirus in Scotland LIVE: Follow here for all of Tuesday’s updates.

Key Events

The number of cancelled operations in Scottish hospitals is at the highest level since the beginning of the pandemic, figures show.

In June, 22,014 operations in Scotland were scheduled to go ahead, with 1,643 (7.5%) forced to be cancelled, according to Public Health Scotland figures.

While the number of operations slated was the highest since February last year - before the pandemic took hold - the number of cancellations was the highest since March 2020, when the impact of Covid-19 forced Scotland into lockdown.

The figures show 642 of the cancellations were due to clinical reasons, while 417 were because of capacity or non-clinical problems.

A further 502 were cancelled by the patient.

Scottish Lib Dem health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “These new figures show that even though life feels more normal, NHS services are under more pressure than ever.

“No hospital will be taking the decision to cancel operations lightly. Staff know it means more discomfort and pain for patients.

“But services are straining, and with too few resources clinicians are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

“Staff are already knackered after bearing the brunt of the pandemic.

“The Scottish Government have to find a way to show them a light at the end of the tunnel. That means meaningful support for those on the front line, with new clear targets and a comprehensive NHS recovery plan.”

Nicola Sturgeon is set to announce if Scotland will lift its coronavirus restrictions and move beyond the current Level 0 rules in place.

READ MORE HERE

Visitors to Edinburgh’s festivals will be urged to keep wearing face coverings and maintain social distancing throughout August to ensure the city’s major events are kept as safe as possible.

Easing of restrictions for next Monday confirmed

Nicola Sturgeon confirms that covid restrictions will ease across the country from next Monday as 1,016 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours.

Follow the First Minister’s statement to Parliament HERE

Masks to become mandatory despite easing

The First Minister said it will continue to be the law that face coverings will be worn in the same indoor settings across Scotland.

‘Face coverings will be mandated in law for some time to come’, said Sturgeon.

Changes to self-isolation

An adult who has identified as a close contact will no longer have to self-isolate if they are fully vaccinated and they take a PCR test which is negative, says FM.

Masks to continue to be worn in Secondary schools amongst staff and pupils

The First Minister said this will be kept under review.

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