Scotland to 'remain in severe lockdown restrictions for some time' amid fears over mutant Covid strain

Jeane Freeman outlined the timetable as she confirmed another 2,160 positive infections and 61 deaths in a single day. Freeman said tests will be offered for home carers without symptoms from Monday next week, ahead of an earlier March timescale.

coronavirus. No one will be allowed to enter the country from Scotland via air or sea until 6pm on February 2 under the new restrictions.But there are exceptions to Spanish nationals and those who are a legal resident in Spain.

Takeaway rules in Scotland have been tightened as millions of people are urged to stay at home and avoid non-essential contact. Nicola Sturgeon confirmed takeaway joints will no longer be able to serve customers inside in the latest crackdown on the hospitality industry.

challenging year in living memory” in 2020.He warned of a recession and jobs crisis caused by the pandemic “which will likely takes years to recover from”.Meanwhile Mairi Spowage, deputy director of the Fraser of Allander Institute economic think tank, said joblessness is likely to “rise significantly” when the UK Government’s furlough scheme is wound up at the end of April.The latest chambers of commerce report on the economy, covering the final three months of 2020, showed business confidence

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a tightening of lockdown restrictions as the number of Covid-19 cases in Scotland continue to rise.Under the changes click and collect services will be limited to only essential purchases, while restrictions were also applied on takeaways meaning that residents will only be able to collect orders from outdoors to limit social interaction.Essential click and collect

John Lewis is the first major retailer in Scotland to suspend its click and collect services amid a shopping crackdown. The high street giant said it was responding to a "clear change in tone and emphasis" from the government as millions are urged to stay at home.

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.

First Minister suggested non-essential businesses could face further curbs in a bid to prevent people from meeting each other and passing on coronavirus. Mainland Scotland was placed in lockdown as of Tuesday, with people told to remain indoors unless venturing out for one of several essential reasons.

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.

TUI has cancelled all holidays due to fly out of Scotland in January amid the new coronavirus lockdown. The airline firm said that it came to the decision in line with “international travel restrictions”.Travel in and out of Scotland is currently banned under new lockdown restrictions imposed from midnight today.Scots will only be able to fly in and out of Scotland if it is for an essential purpose - such as providing care or attending a funeral.

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.

First Minister has summoned an emergency cabinet meeting this Monday morning and will recall MSPs to hear a statement on the covid crisis in the afternoon.The cabinet is certain to consider keeping schools closed for the rest of January and the possible return of restrictions that are closer to the stay-at-home lockdown in March.Schools re-open this week for children of key workers and vulnerable children.

winter could be Scotland's coldest on record amid fears there could be a return of the Beast from the East. Coral slashed the odds on the country seeing its chilliest winter temperatures to date.

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that 42.8% of positive tests processed for Scotland are now thought to be the fast-spreading form of coronavirus, first detected earlier this month.

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