Nicola Sturgeon Covid update RECAP: Scotland is now on the “downward slope” of infections
The First Minister said the country is “in a better position than I feared we would be before Christmas”, but would not comment on whether she plans to follow Wales with a mass easing of Covid rules.
Ms Sturgeon has chaired a Cabinet meeting this morning and will update Holyrood about the Government’s plans later in the afternoon.
You can follow updates in our live blog, right here.
Nicola Sturgeon Covid update LIVE:
The First Minister confirms that there will be no changes in self isolation rules in Scotland.
She says: “If you test positive, you will be advised to self-isolate for 10 days. However, if you don’t have a fever, and take two negative lateral flow tests - more than 24 hours apart - on day 6 and day 7, you can end self-isolation on day 7.”
Nicola Sturgeon reminds MSPs that second doses of the vaccine are now available for 12 to 15 year olds who had a first dose at least 12 weeks previously.
5 to 11 year olds with specific medical conditions that put them at greater risk from Covid will be invited for their first vaccination from this week onwards.
Nicola Sturgeon issues a vaccine plea to those who have not been given their first vaccine.
“Scotland has achieved very high rates of vaccination – we are the most vaccinated part of the UK in terms of first, second, third and booster doses.
But there are still more than 600,000 people over the age of 18 who are eligible for a booster, but haven’t yet had it. And there are hundreds of thousands more who have not yet had a first or second dose.
So I would encourage anyone who falls into one of these categories to make an appointment as soon as possible, or go to a drop-in clinic.”
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Nicola Sturgeon has announced all of Scotland’s coronavirus restrictions introduced in response to the Omicron wave will be brought to an end next Monday.
In the Scottish Parliament, the First Minister said nightclub closures and the requirement for table service in hospitality will come to an end. Attendance limits on indoor events will also be lifted.”
Dr Sandesh Gulhane standing in for Douglas Ross calls for the Covid passport scheme to be scrapped saying: “The First Minister has twice threatened to extend the scheme to more Scottish businesses. “Twice, she’s backed down. “Isn’t it about time the First Minister accepted that this scheme is a dud and scrapped it altogether?”
He asks Nicola Sturgeon to publish data that helped make the decision.
The First Minister says that her government used data to make decisions saying that the worst thing to do would be to lift restrictions all at once.“
Anas Sarwar says that the announcements today will offer hope to those wishing for normality. He calls for more business support and urges Nicola Sturgeon to get support to those in need. He says “too many businesses are still teetering on the brink” and says “any changes in these restrictions cannot be ad-hoc”, adding there needs to be “clear trigger points when cases do rise”.
The First Minister says that work is being done as quickly as possible and that she understands the need for certainty but fixed trigger points would not serve anyone well at the moment. She adds that Scotland has followed other countries around the world, but as we learn more there can be more certainty.