A tougher regime of Covid-19 restrictions for Scotland is to be considered amid concerns the current measures in the nationwide tiered approach are not strong enough.
© An almost empty Buchanan Street in the centre of Glasgow taken during the spring lockdown. Picture: ... Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs today that Edinburgh and East Lothian saw significant rises in Covid-19 levels in recent days despite level three restrictions across both areas in recent weeks.
It came as she confirmed the nine cases of the new variant strain of Covid-19 had been discovered north of the Border in the Greater Glasgow & Clyde area, after recently emerging in England.
© Nicola Sturgeon says tiered system will be reviewed READ Nicola Sturgeon confirms that nine cases of the new variant of coronavirus have been identified in Scotland
Ms Sturgeon made just three changes to the tier levels in council areas across Scotland, with East Lothian, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire all moving up to level three from level two.
The spike in Edinburgh and Midlothian, with case numbers up by 40 per cent in the Scottish capital, have prompted concerns with both areas in the second highest level three.
A review of the levels system of restrictions in Scotland is now to be undertaken to assess whether the tiered approach is tough enough.
"Over the next two weeks, we will also be using the experience of the levels system to date to consider whether the specific restrictions in each level remain adequate or require amendment in any way," Ms Sturgeon said at her weekly review of levels in Holyrood.
"Broadly speaking, we think the levels approach has worked well. But we know the winter will put it under greater pressure.
"And we also know - and indeed see this in some of the data I have reported today - that case numbers are rising in some areas despite level three restrictions having been in place for some weeks.
"So the time is right to review this and I will report the outcome of that to Parliament after recess."
The latest Covid-19 statistics for Scotland today saw 845 new cases reported in the past 24 hours. This represents 7.4 per cent of all tests carried out, and takes the total number of cases to 107,749.
A further 24 deaths were also recorded. There are also now 996 people in hospital - a fall of 16, with 45 people in intensive care.
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