Nicola Sturgeon update RECAP: First Minister says no change to pandemic rules | Fears COP26 could see spike in cases in Scotland | New post-arrival testing regime for Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon has given a Covid update ahead of COP26 as concerns have been raised of a spike in cases.
JPIMediaJPIMedia
JPIMedia

The First Minister gave an update to MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.

She confirmed Scotland will see no new restrictions as a result of Covid-19, Nicola Sturgeon has said, but the situation with the virus “remains fragile”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The First Minister told MSPs on Tuesday there had been a slight increase of about 2% in cases in the last few days.

Nicola Sturgeon added Cop26 will “inevitably” pose a risk of transmission of Covid-19.

But the First Minister told MSPs work has been done by the Scottish Government and United Nations to mitigate the effects.

Nicola Sturgeon gives Covid update ahead of COP26

Nicola Sturgeon is now addressing the chamber and begins her update by confirming there are no planned changes to the measures currently in place in Scotland.

The First Minister says Scotland has the lowest increase in Covid cases of the home nations and says the surge is nothing like the ‘magnitude’ of late August.

The First Minister says that the NHS is arguably under more pressure than at any stage during the pandemic and has reminded memebrs of the public to use the vaccine passport.

She also thanks businesses who have enforced the rollout, and urged employees to continue to work from home.

On the booster jag, the First Minister says the vaccine booster programme is making “good progress” and reminds the chamber that a six month gap between second and booster dose. She says “Every effort is being made” to accelerate the pace of the programme and that the Scottish Government will offer weekend clinics and more when younger people become eligible.

Nicola Sturgeon announces lateral flow tests will replace PCR tests for arriving travellers into Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon has announced that lateral flow tests will replace PCR tests for arriving travellers into Scotland and will be in force from 4am on October 31.