Scotland faces full lockdown to contain mutant covid strain, Jason Leitch warns

Supermarket shoppers will still be able to pick up non-essential items such as clothing during Scotland's strict lockdown. Tesco and Asda will continue to sell electrical products, TVs and gym gear despite some stores blocking off aisles and upper levels during the previous full lockdown.

Nicola Sturgeon announced that Scotland will be in full lockdown until 'at least the end of the month'. As of January 5, a new "stay at home" message became a legal requirement across each of Scotland's mainland council areas.

mutated variant will not be as easy to control. The strain was only detected in south-east England last month but is now responsible for half of all new cases in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon announced the harsher measures in an emergency statement at the Scottish Parliament, urging the public to "stay at home".Sturgeon also announced just two people from different households can meet outdoors and confirmed schools will close to most pupils until the end of January.She said: "The Cabinet met this morning to assess the up-to-date Covid situation - which is extremely serious - and discuss what further action is necessary to minimise further spread of the virus.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Scotland is being plunged back into a tougher lockdown to deal with soaring levels of COVID-19 infection.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the harsher measures in an emergency statement at the Scottish Parliament, telling the public to "stay at home".She said: "The Cabinet met this morning to assess the up-to-date COVID situation - which is extremely serious - and discuss what further action is

Scroll down for all the latest updates Nicola Sturgeon has urged Scots to “stick with” new restrictions as a coronavirus vaccine is rolled out.Addressing MSPs in Holyrood, Sturgeon announced an enforced period of lockdown – due to last until at least the end of the month – including the closure of schools to most pupils.She said: “I know that the next few weeks will be incredibly tough.“I’m sorry to ask for further sacrifices, after nine long months of them.

Snow and ice could cause carnage as the worst winter freeze in 10 years is set to hit Scotland. A New Year yellow weather warning was issued north of the border ahead of a freezing Hogmanay.

fast-spreading form of coronavirus, first detected earlier this month.In a statement at Holyrood, she said: "This new strain appears to be fast becoming the dominant one circulating in Scotland - and that is obviously a cause for real concern, given that it is thought to be significantly more transmissible."As I indicated before Christmas, the severity of this challenge means we can't rule out the need for restrictions that are even tighter than those in the current level 4."Sturgeon spoke after

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Experts are calling on Scots to wear face masks even when outside to try to limit the highly infectious new strain of coronavirus.Professor Mike Griffin, President of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, stated that the extra precaution is needed to help stop the NHS becoming 'overwhelmed'.He added that it 'would be crazy' not to do everything in our power to try to reduce infections during the winter.Mr

severe lockdown restrictions for some time' amid fears over the mutant coronavirus strain. National Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch said it will be 'well into next year' before Scots will return to any form of normality.

First Minister is "furious" with herself but defended the "little lapse" after a picture of her emerged. The Scottish Sun published a photograph of Sturgeon talking to three people on her way out of the funeral wake of a close colleague.

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