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Sturgeon confirms new restrictions will be announced this week amid a rising Covid infection rate


By Scott Maclennan

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

New Covid restrictions are on the way for Scotland according to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who confirmed the virus is "spreading again" in the country.

The new levels of restrictions have not known yet been revealed but Ms Sturgeon said she would likely announce them in Holyrood either on Tuesday or Wednesday.

She had been due to confirm new guidance today but revealed that, having worked through the weekend, new measures would have to go further and will require a final decision.

She said: "I need to be absolutely straight with people across Scotland, that additional restrictions will almost certainly be put in place in Scotland over the next couple of days.

"Hopefully this will be with four-nations alignment, but if necessary it will have to happen without that.”

Directly after the midday briefing she was due to talk with Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the hopes of paving the way for a four nations approach, which is seen as a better solution so people know the restrictions are UK-wide.

“I will impress upon the Prime Minister my view that we need decisive, urgent and as far as possible given our individual responsibilities, co-ordinated action across the UK," she said.

"I will be clear that I am willing to allow a bit more time for four nations discussions to take place before making final decisions for Scotland, but I will be equally clear that the urgency of this situation will mean that we cannot, must not and will not wait too long."

Just over 10 days ago the First Minister put the brakes on emerging from the lockdown, with the start of stage four yet to be announced amid concerns about the rising Covid infection rate.

Now it appears as though that will now potentially be reversed – something the First Minister as always said was possible.

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