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Scotland’s coronavirus lockdown is to be prolonged, with Nicola Sturgeon warning it could be “very dangerous” to make modifications too rapidly.
By legislation, the social distancing measures throughout the UK should be reviewed each three weeks.
Nonetheless, the primary minster mentioned it was too quickly to make main modifications with out risking a resurgence of the virus.
Lockdown is prone to be prolonged UK-wide, though Boris Johnson is to set out plans for the long run on Sunday.
Ms Sturgeon mentioned she was on account of communicate to the prime minister in a while Thursday, and mentioned she “won’t be pressured into lifting restrictions prematurely, till I’m as sure as I may be that we’ll not be risking a resurgence in an infection charges”.
She mentioned her desire was for the 4 nations of the UK to maneuver collectively, however mentioned any choices “have to be taken with nice care”.
Ms Sturgeon mentioned she would “proceed to err on the facet of warning”.
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Earlier within the day, Well being Secretary Jeane Freeman advised Holyrood’s well being committee that the an infection fee in Scotland remained too excessive to present a lot room for manoeuvre.
Ms Sturgeon mentioned it was thought the an infection fee in Scotland “may nonetheless be larger than in different elements of the UK”, probably reflecting the truth that the primary circumstances of Covid-19 north of the border got here later than in England.
She mentioned: “Excessive warning is required at this important juncture to keep away from a fast resurgence of the virus.
“It isn’t an exaggeration to say choices now are a matter of life and demise.”
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Ms Sturgeon mentioned it could be doable to make modifications to the laws earlier than the subsequent assessment date “if the proof suggests it’s protected to take action”.
The Scottish authorities has revealed a paper of choices for beginning to carry restrictions, though no dates are advised.
Ms Sturgeon mentioned she “could also be ready to conform to a change to steering limiting out of doors train to as soon as a day solely”. It has been rumoured that such a transfer is being thought-about by UK ministers.
Nonetheless, she mentioned this “wouldn’t change the general message” that individuals ought to stay near dwelling and never combine with different households.
She mentioned it could possibly be “a catastrophic mistake” to carry the “keep at dwelling” message, and that it ought to stay in place “for the foreseeable future”.
Scotland’s coronavirus deaths
It’s anticipated Mr Johnson will scrap the “keep at dwelling” message in his handle to the nation on Sunday night, with Public Well being England “reviewing all communications supplies in anticipation of shifting to the subsequent part of the federal government marketing campaign”.
Whereas most restrictions are anticipated to stay in place, the prime minister has advised some measures may begin being eased from Monday.
Ms Sturgeon mentioned she was “very clear that it’s my desire for all 4 nations to make modifications collectively, on the similar tempo, as a result of that helps us give clear, constant messages to you the general public”.
However she mentioned “we will determine in a wholly grown up means if we’re at completely different phases and wish to go other ways”.
She mentioned: “If the prime minister desires to maneuver at a sooner tempo for England, that’s his proper.
“However I hope you perceive and agree that I have to make judgements, knowledgeable by the proof, which are proper and protected for Scotland.
“I can’t be pressurised into lifting restrictions prematurely till I’m as sure as I may be that we’ll not be risking a resurgence in an infection charges.”