Omicron Scotland RECAP: Nicola Sturgeon covid 19 update | 6 cases of Omicron variant in Scotland
This is how the announcement of the ‘most challenging’ covid development in months unfolded.
Covid in Scotland LIVE BLOG: Nicola Sturgeon gives covid update | 6 cases of Omicron variant identified in Scotland
Key Events
- Six cases of Omicron variant identified in Scotland.
- Sturgeon pushes UK government to increase travel restrictions
- PM rejects Sturgeon’s call for tougher four nations’ travel restrictions
- First Minister gives covid update on Monday morning.
BREAKING: Sturgeon pushes UK Government to increase travel restrictions
The Scottish Government has called on the UK to increase four-nation travel restrictions in response to the new variant Omicron, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Read more from our health correspondent Elsa Maishman here.
Omicron in Scotland: Sturgeon pushes UK Government to increase travel restrictions
The Scottish Government has called on the UK to increase four-nation travel restrictions in response to the new variant Omicron, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Watch emergency covid briefing LIVE here
Keep up to date with Nicola Sturgeon’s covid briefing live here.
BREAKING: UK Government rejects Sturgeon’s call for more travel restrictions
The news comes after Nicola Sturgeon alongside the Welsh First Minister called for the UK government to increase travel restrictions for people travelling into the UK, including PCR tests on day eight as well as day two.
A PM spokesperson said: “We believe that the approach we’ve taken is the proportionate one to the evidence that we currently have available about this variant.
“Introducing further isolation requirements and testing requirements would have a detrimental affect on the travel individual industry and indeed those who are planning to go travelling.
“So our response needs to be balanced based on what we know currently about this variant. We’re taking a precautionary approach we believe it’s responsible and proportionate.”
RECAP of main points from covid briefing
Here are the main points from the emergency briefing today:
- Six cases of the Omicron variant have been identified in Scotland.
- Those positive are not in hospital and their cases are currently not severe.
- No new changes to Christmas or travel restrictions announced yet.
- Sturgeon alongside the Welsh First Minister pushes UK government to increase travel restrictions for people travelling into the UK, including PCR tests on day eight as well as day two.
- The First Minister said it was ‘vital’ for the public to keep to current restrictions and work from home if they can.
- There is currently no information that the symptoms for Omicron are different or that the disease caused by the variant is more severe.
- The First Minister said there is ‘no reason’ to link the new cases of Omicron in Scotland with COP26 which happened in Glasgow in November.
Letter to PM on COBRA meeting and tougher travel restrictions
Nicola Sturgeon has written a joint letter to the UK Government with Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, she told a media briefing on Monday.
The two leaders have called for all travellers arriving from overseas to be required to self-isolate for eight days, and take a PCR test on day two and day eight of their arrival.
FM concludes briefing, saying ‘we are in much stronger position due to vaccine’
Concluding her emergency covid briefing following six new cases of Omicron identified in Scotland, Ms Sturgeon said she would end on a positive note by focusing on the successful impact of vaccination.
She added that she would speak to the public ‘later in the week’ on the covid situation in Scotland.
Speaking at the briefing, the First Minister said: “Not withstanding this latest and worrying development, we are in a much stronger position than we were last year because of vaccination.
“So please get vaccinated with every dose that you are eligible for as quickly as you are able to.
“Make sure you test yourself regularly. That is going to be such an important protection, particularly over the festive period.
“Please do all the things that we know make a difference. Wear your face covering, wash your hands, keep your windows open.”
