Nicola Sturgeon 'must rethink' Christmas lockdown rules

First Minister said the rapid increase in Covid cases driven by the new variant is of "very serious concern". She stated: “The steep increases and severe NHS pressure being experienced in other parts of the UK is a sign of what may lie ahead.

First Minister tweeted just after the Brexit transition period formally ended at 11pm on December 31. Scotland's trading and travel relationships with EU countries will now be governed by the agreement announced by the UK Government on Christmas Eve.

immediately attacked the settlement, saying “there is no deal that will ever make up for what Brexit takes away from us.”On a historic Christmas Eve that will set Scotland and the UK on a different political course from the rest of Europe, Johnson boasted that his “jumbo-sized Canada-style deal” was what the country needs.Johnson said the agreement resolves the European question which has “bedevilled” British politics for generations.But as Sturgeon made plain the end of the Britain’s four

Boris Johnson said the deal would "benefit every party of the UK".The Prime Minister declared it would boost the fishing industry as well as the financial sector - two key employers north of the Border.European diplomats will meet on Christmas morning to review the deal on behalf of the EU's 27 member states, while MPs are likely to vote on the agreement on December 30.But the First Minister took a less than enthusiastic view.Sturgeon tweeted: “Before the spin starts, it’s worth remembering that

agreement with the EU - which is expected to be backed by MPs before the December 31 deadline - was a "disastrous outcome" for Scottish farmers. It comes as seed potatoes - a valuable multi-million pound Scottish export - will not be included in a deal allowing UK crops into the EU from January 1.

held up at Dover since France closed its borders fearing the spread of a new strain of coronavirus from the south-east. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today called for action and said: "There is no time to lose." Sturgeon raised her concerns at the Scottish Parliament where she stressed there are no "immediate concerns" for food or medicine supplies across the country.

First Minister said the strain is spreading much faster and the Scottish Government will need to look at whether level 4 restrictions are sufficient.Governments across the UK scaled back plans to loosen the restrictions during Christmas due to the new covid variant.In Scotland, Sturgeon announced level 4, which is effectively lockdown, would be imposed from Boxing Day onwards for three weeks.This includes the near total shutdown of hospitality.Speaking at Holyrood, she referred to data which

amid fears the new Covid-19 variant will spread.Ireland has banned all flights from the UK for 48 hours, as has Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Turkey, Belgium and Switzerland.The measures are temporary with plans for an EU council meeting at 10am to decide on co-ordinating EU actions.The announcement comes as Scotland prepares for a level four lockdown starting on Boxing Day.Opposition party leaders in Scotland have called on the SNP government to further explain the reasons for

Nicola Sturgeon tonight called on Boris Johnson to extend the Brexit transition period. The First Minister took to Twitter with no breakthrough in negotiations between the UK and the EU in sight.

First Minister also announced a strict travel ban between Scotland and the rest of the UK and the world.

coronavirus across Scotland.

Ladywell, Livingston, has backed our campaign after figures released this week showed Scotland has worst death rate in the world, a figure up six per cent on the previous year. Statistics showed the total deaths rose from 1,187 in 2018 to 1,264 in 2019.

German news channel Welt, the First Minister said she remained hopeful the UK Government would secure a Brexit deal before December 31.

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the festive season.Three households remains the legal maximum in Scotland - but ministers are pushing tougher guidance following a rise in infections across Wales and south-east England in recent days.The First Minister is also urging Scots living elsewhere in the UK not to return home if they stay in an area with high prevalence of the virus, such as London.But one expert said the issue of updated guidance covering the Christmas period was another example of “quickly changing and ambiguous

Scroll down for the latest updates.Nicola Sturgeon has backed the Christmas lockdown easing plan while at the same time strongly recommending people stay in their own homes.The First Minister said if people make use of the five day loosening of the rules, her advice is to limit the duration of the stay and the numbers of people.She also recommended that people from “high prevalence” covid areas do not travel to low prevalence parts the UK.Read the full story.A Scots mum has spoken of her

coronavirus deaths recorded in Scotland overnight. The First Minister also announced in her daily briefing 689 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, taking the total figure to 108,438.The death toll now sits at 4,173.Some 1,031 patients are currently in hospital being treated for the deadly virus with 49 of those in intensive care.It comes as Boris Johnson is resisting changes to the UK’s Christmas visiting restrictions despite growing fears easing lockdown will lead to “many” deaths.

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Greater Glasgow & Clyde health board region - which covers a large geographic area in the west of the country - this week.