Nicola Sturgeon announcement RECAP: First Minister confirms delay to easing of Covid-19 restrictions | Scottish Government plans to move out of lockdown on August 9 if possible
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Key Events
- Scotland will move to Level 0 on July 19
- 'No part of the country will change level next week'
- Scotland records 4 new covid deaths and 2,167 new cases
- Highest daily figure since January 8, according to statistics
Scottish Government plans to lift all major coronavirus restrictions by August 9
The Scottish Government plans to move out of Covid-19 restrictions on August 9 if possible, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, she said changes to current restriction levels in Scotland will be postponed until July 19.
The First Minister said on that date it is hoped all of Scotland can move to the lowest level of restrictions, Level 0, three weeks later than initially planned on June 28.
She said increasing case numbers are behind the delay, after 2,167 cases were recorded in Scotland in the past 24 hours – the highest daily figure since January 8.
However, she set out a series of vaccination milestones and said if these and other criteria are met the majority of restrictions could be lifted by August 9.
She said: “Our assessment – on balance and assuming we meet the necessary conditions on vaccination and harm reduction – is that it would be possible and proportionate to lift the major remaining legal restrictions on 9 August.
“We will consider and make a final assessment nearer the time of whether – as we hope – this could include the lifting of the legal requirement to physically distance indoors as well as outdoors.”
The Scottish Government will not immediately recommend a return to office working when all restrictions are lifted, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
The First Minister told MSPs Government would work with business as Scotland enters Level 0 – planned for July 19 – to devise a phased plan for the return of staff to offices.
She said: “While recognising that a return to the workplace will be right for many, we will encourage continued support for home working where it is possible and appropriate.
“This won’t just assist with control of the virus, it will also help promote well-being more generally.
“However, I think many would agree that, as a general principle, home-working should be more possible post Covid than it was before.”