Second nationwide lockdown cannot be ruled out Minister admits as virus numbers climb

coronavirus measures are introduced.

coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday. The First Minister said that imposing the next level of measures was 'the most difficult decision point we have faced so far'.

Coronavirus cases have continued to rise across Scotland over the weekend as four deaths were recorded. Nicola Sturgeon said infections are spreading to older people and suggested new restrictions will be considered by experts today and discussed by the government tomorrow.Deputy first minister John Swinney has also said it was a "cause for concern" and warned there could be further restrictions put in place.

hereOn Friday, it emerged that the coronavirus R rate is stubbornly above one and is continuing to creep up, which suggests "widespread growth of the epidemic across the country".Data released by Sage shows the estimate for R for the whole of the UK is between 1.3 and 1.6.Last week, the R number was lower - at between 1.2 and 1.5.And the latest daily growth rate range for the UK is from + 5 per cent a day to + 9.The latest figures on the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases were at the 6,900 mark

Nicola Sturgeon was accused of failure to plan for major outbreaks of Covid-19 across Scotland’s university campuses and into wider communities. The First Minister is under pressure just days after term started with more than 1000 students already self-isolating.

SNP Government by summer. Health Secretary Jeane Freeman had claimed 2000 would in post by June, but it emerged only 874 were available three months later.

link.The First Minister announced the new measures, which include an outright ban on indoor household gatherings.Pubs, bars and restaurants will also be required to close at 10pm from Friday.At the Scottish Parliament, MS Sturgeon said: “We will introduce a strict nationwide curfew for pubs, bars and restaurants.

Get the stories that interest you straight to your inbox every day with our personalised newsletterScotland has recorded 386 new cases of coronavirus and one new death from the deadly disease in the last 24 hours.The figures were released by the Scottish Government this afternoon just minutes before First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was set to make an announcement in the Scottish Parliament on new restrictions.She will also speak to the nation in a televised address at around 8.05pmThe new cases

coronavirus pandemic - he criticised the UK for having "one of the highest death rates in the world" from coronavirus. Sir Keir said a second national lockdown would be a “sign of government failure, not an act of God” that would take an “immense toll” on public health and the economy.Speaking from Doncaster, the Labour leader said: “The warnings yesterday from the government’s advisers were stark.

“Scottish Labour has consistently urged our governments on both sides of the border to get testing and contact tracing working at scale, but a failure to do so during the first lockdown has hampered our national effort to control the virus and stop it spiralling out of control.“Every effort must be made to ensure our testing and tracing system is working effectively and that people have the right financial and practical support to allow them to isolate when necessary."

Ayrshire seven new positive tests have been recorded since yesterday. The total for the region now stands at 1535.At the moment, 73 people are in hospital with coronavirus and 8 people are in intensive care.The First Minister said: "The Scottish Cabinet will meet tomorrow to take stock.

Matt Hancock has warned Britain is at a “tipping point” as he refused to rule out a second national coronavirus lockdown.With cases on the rise, Hancock said there was a danger the numbers could “shoot through the roof” unless effective action was taken to halt the spread of the virus.His warning came as the UK Government announced anyone in England who refuses an order to self-isolate could face a fine of up to £10,000.He said: “This country faces a tipping point.

coronavirus cases continue to rise, according to a new poll. A study carried out by YouGov spoke to 2,690 people across the UK about a possible return to restrictions seen over March, April and May.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.A second coronavirus death has been confirmed in Lanarkshire in the last two days.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today announced that a person had died from Covid-19 for the second consecutive day in Scotland, both of which were in Lanarkshire.The news comes just days after additional coronavirus restrictions were brought in for people living in Lanarkshire following an increase in cases.Prior to this week,

Nicola Sturgeon said she cannot rule out imposing a curfew for pubs and restaurants if the number of Scots testing positive for Covid continues to rise. UK Government ministers are already considering introducing a 10pm or 11pm curfew on hospitality businesses if local measures are unable to bring the spread of the virus under control in England.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has admitted misleading Parliament about North Lanarkshire Council’s 1140 hours early years education programme.During First Minister’s Questions, Ms Sturgeon claimed NLC had failed to roll out the programme, when in fact 69 per cent of education and childcare establishments are offering the extended hours.The council’s education convener, Councillor Frank McNally,