FM Nicola Sturgeon – Page 2 – The NEN

Covid cases rising, but no change to passport scheme … yet

Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 16 November 2021:

Presiding Officer,

I will give an update today on the latest Covid situation and also provide an assessment of the current course of the pandemic.

First, though, today’s statistics. 2,771 positive cases were reported yesterday – 12.8% of all the tests that were carried out. 779 people are currently in hospital with Covid – which is 8 more than yesterday.

And 57 people are receiving intensive care, which is the same number as yesterday. Sadly, a further 17 deaths have been reported over the past 24 hours and that takes the total number of deaths registered under this daily definition, to 9,406. And again, I want to send my condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one.

More positively, the vaccination programme continues to make very good progress.

I can confirm that 4,331,574 people have received a first dose and 3,930,317 have now had both doses.

In total, 88% of all those over 18 are now fully vaccinated with two doses.

In addition, 76% of 16 & 17 year olds, and 56% of 12 to 15 year olds, have had a first dose. Until now, of course only a single dose has been recommended for these age groups.

But, following yesterday’s updated advice from the JCVI, we are now preparing to offer second doses to 16 & 17 year olds.

I will say a bit more about the progress of the booster programme later.

However, it is worth pointing out that on first, second and booster and third doses, Scotland is currently the most vaccinated part of the UK.

That is down of course to the incredible hard work of everyone involved in organising and delivering the programme and I want to record my thanks to each and every one of them.

Today’s weekly update of course coincides with the latest three-week review point for the remaining Covid regulations.

And so I can confirm that at our meeting earlier today the Cabinet agreed to keep the current regulations in place, with no immediate changes.

However, we also considered – though we have not yet reached final decisions on – the possibility of future changes to the Covid certification scheme and I will say more about that shortly as well.

The numbers reported in recent days here in Scotland – which I’ll come on to talk about in more detail – illustrate the need for continued precautions.

So too does the challenging situation being experienced again across Europe.

Several European countries are currently dealing with a sharp increase in cases.

Infection rates in Germany have reached their highest level since the pandemic started. The Netherlands reintroduced some Covid measures last week. Ireland has done so today. And Austria has just introduced extremely tough restrictions on people who are not fully vaccinated.

All of this is a reminder that governments everywhere are grappling with the same issues and dilemmas that we are.

The threats posed by Covid are very much still with us – even though they have been mitigated by vaccination – and the race between the virus and the vaccines has not yet been won. The situation here in Scotland also bears that out.

However, before I give an update on the overall trends in Scotland, I want to say a few words about the impact of recent events in Glasgow.

I will reflect more generally on COP26 in a further statement to parliament later this afternoon..

However, while we can’t yet draw final conclusions, I can confirm now that there is no sign so far of any significant spike in cases associated with COP26.

Rigorous measures were put in place to minimise the risks of transmission.

For example anyone entering the main summit site – the Blue Zone – had to provide evidence of a negative lateral flow test result.

Information published earlier today by Public Health Scotland suggests that of the people officially affiliated with COP26, approximately 4 in every 1,000 tested positive for Covid through routine lateral flow testing.

This contrasts with survey data for the Scottish population as a whole which suggests that last week 12 people in every 1,000 had Covid.

And in total, since 15 October, 291 people with Covid across Scotland reported attending a COP-related event – that includes satellite meetings and demonstrations, as well as the main summit itself. That represents less than half of one per cent of all those who tested positive for Covid over the past month and reported through Test and Protect.

All of this at this stage, Presiding Officer, suggests that the mitigations that were put in place for COP were effective.

And I want to put on record my thanks to delegates for their compliance and indeed to everyone who worked so hard in the run up to and during COP 26 to secure the safest possible environment.

More generally across Scotland, we have seen a gradual increase in cases over the past two weeks – from just over 2,500 new cases a day, to approximately 3,000 cases a day as this stage.

It is important to note though that this headline figure masks some distinct variations between different age groups.

For example, cases amongst under 60s increased by 14% during the past week.

And much of this increase was in people under the age of 20.

By contrast, cases in the over 60 age group fell over the past week – by 11%.

Now this is likely to be due, at least in part, to the success of the booster programme, which of course is prioritised amongst the older population and I’ll say more about that shortly.

The decline in cases amongst older people may also explain why – despite the overall increase in cases – the numbers in hospital with Covid have reduced slightly in recent weeks.

Three weeks ago, 917 patients were in hospital with Covid. Today, there are 779. And the number of people in intensive care has fallen although very slightly during that time – from 59 to 57.

However all of that said the number of patients in hospital with Covid is still extremely high. If cases continue to increase then, notwithstanding the age profile, we are likely to see hospital admissions and occupancy start to rise again.

In addition, the NHS is currently treating people who are in hospital for care which had to be delayed by earlier Covid countermeasures.

And of course as we go further into winter, we can expect other seasonal pressures – for example, flu – to increase.

All of this means that the NHS is under extreme pressure. And we continue to work closely with health boards to address and mitigate these pressures as far as we can.

The vaccination programme, of course, continues to be critical in reducing the direct health harm caused by the virus.

I mentioned a moment ago that the decline in Covid rates in older age groups – and the fall in hospital admissions – may well reflect the impact of the vaccine booster campaign.

I can confirm that more than one million booster jags have now been administered.

And over 70% of the over 70s have now had a booster.

We know that a booster jag significantly increases the effectiveness of the vaccine – so this high level of uptake is extremely important, and we will continue to push it up as far as possible.

The programme took a further step forward yesterday with the launch of the online booking portal.

Everyone aged 50 to 59 – together with unpaid carers and household contacts of the immunosuppressed and anyone eligible for a vaccine who has not yet had an appointment – can now book online at NHS Inform.

Since yesterday morning, more than 54,000 people have made online bookings.

And more than 8,000 people have made bookings through the national helpline, which can be called on 0800 030 8013. That’s 0800 030 8013.

It is of course important to remember that boosters can only be given 24 weeks after someone’s 2nd jab.

Therefore, for many in the 50 to 59 age group, appointments will only be possible from December onwards.

It is also worth pointing out that people living in Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and the NHS Highland health board areas will not use the online booking system, but instead receive information direct from their health board about local appointment arrangements.

As I mentioned earlier, the JCVI updated its advice yesterday.

In addition to recommending second doses for 16 & 17 year olds, it also recommended booster jags for people in their 40s.

I very much welcome this and the Scottish Government will now move to implement this new advice as quickly as we can. And we continue to work with health boards to ensure that the overall programme is delivered as rapidly as possible.

However it is worth taking stock of the situation as of now.

This winter vaccination programme is the largest and the most complex ever undertaken in Scotland.

However, since the first week in September more than 3 million flu and booster jags have been administered.

Take up rates have been encouraging. And this is providing vital protection as we head into winter. So, once again, I am hugely grateful to everyone helping get jags into people’s arms as quickly as possible.

And I also want to take this opportunity again to urge every single person who is eligible for vaccination – whether for a first or second jag, or a booster or 3^rd jag – to take up the offer without delay. And get the flu jag too if you are eligible.

Getting vaccinated remains the single most important thing any of us can do to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities.

It is impossible to overstate how important it is to get vaccinated – so if you haven’t already, please do so now.

You could be saving your own life or the lives of your loved ones.

You will be reassuring others, including those most at risk – some of whom have clinical conditions that mean that they cannot get vaccinated themselves.

You will be helping those working in the NHS.

And you will be maximising our collective chances of getting through this winter without the need to re-introduce any restrictions.

Presiding Officer, in my view, choosing, without good reason, not to be vaccinated is deeply irresponsible. Getting vaccinated, on the other hand, is a civic duty and it is the most precious gift we can give to others at this time.

The vaccine programme is and will continue to be the bedrock of our efforts to control Covid.

However, other baseline mitigations remain in place and they are also important.

Lateral flow testing, as I mentioned earlier, appears to have been effective in limiting transmission during COP.

That should remind all of us that these tests are a really important way of detecting infection particularly in those without symptoms and therefore preventing onward spread.

So I would again encourage everyone to do a lateral flow test at least twice a week – and especially if you are attending events or mixing with people in other households.

The tests can be ordered free through NHS Inform, or collected from test sites and local pharmacies.

Face coverings also continue to be a simple and important mitigation – and remain a legal requirement on public transport, in shops and when moving around in hospitality settings.

Please also continue to work from home when that is practical.

I am today asking all employers to look again at whether more workers could be supported to do more work from home over the winter period.

Lastly, good ventilation is vital.

If any of us are having people visit our homes, we should open a window, even slightly, to let some air flow through the room.

Within the public sector we have taken significant steps to improve ventilation – for example funding for carbon dioxide monitors in schools.

And in September we announced the establishment of a £25million fund to help businesses improve ventilation.

This fund opens for applications next week. Businesses such as restaurants, bars and gyms will be able to claim back costs of up to £2,500 for measures like the installation of carbon dioxide monitors or improvements to windows and vents.

More information on eligibility has been published today on the Find Business Support website.

All of these basic mitigation measures are really important at this stage.

But of course, some of them are also valuable long-term investments.

For example, better ventilation won’t just reduce the spread of Covid – it will also help reduce the spread of other airborne viruses, now and in the future.

And there’s an important point here which is worth stressing.

When we talk – as many do these days – about ‘living with COVID’, it is important that we don’t think of this as simply giving in to the virus.

Instead, it is about making sensible changes that allow us to return both to greater normality and to better health.

Presiding Officer,

The final mitigation measure I want to talk about today is the Covid certification scheme.

It is the strong view of the Scottish Government that this – together with the other measures still in place – makes an important and proportionate contribution to stemming Covid transmission.

The value of certification is also recognised in other countries, many of which require certification for access to a much wider range of services than is currently the case in Scotland.

Wales, for example, expanded the scope of its own scheme yesterday. It now applies to theatres, cinemas and concert halls, in addition to the same range of venues as in Scotland.

The Cabinet discussed possible changes to the current certification scheme at our meeting this morning. We intend to take a final decision next Tuesday in light of the most up to date data.

In the meantime, later this week, we will publish an evidence paper and consult businesses on the practicalities of implementation should changes be made.

However, while final decisions have not yet been reached, I want to provide an update on the issues under consideration.

I should also say that we would provisionally intend for any changes we do decide to make to the scheme to take effect from December 6.

When the scheme launched on 1 October, we judged that it was not appropriate at that time – given the imperative to drive up vaccination rates – to include testing as an alternative to proof of vaccination. But we indicated that this would be kept under review.

So we will be assessing in the coming days whether, on the basis of current and projected vaccination uptake rates, we are now in a position to amend the scheme so that in addition to showing evidence of vaccination to access a venue, there will also be the option of providing evidence of a recent negative test result.

That is already a feature of many other countries’ certification schemes.

We are also considering whether an expansion of the scheme to cover more settings would be justified and prudent given the current state of the pandemic. Again let me stress that we have not at this stage taken a decision to extend the reach of the scheme.

However, to allow us to engage openly with businesses in the coming days about the pros, cons and practicalities, I can confirm that the kinds of settings that might be in scope would be indoor cinemas, theatres, and some other licensed and hospitality premises.

We would, of course, retain exemptions for those under 18; for those who cannot be vaccinated or tested for medical reasons; for people on clinical trials; and for those who work at events or in venues subject to the scheme. Exceptions would also be retained for worship, weddings, funerals and related gatherings.

I will give a further update on this in next week’s statement. And if we decide to propose any amendments to the regulations on certification, Parliament will have the opportunity to discuss and debate these amendments.

Presiding Officer,

I am acutely aware that many businesses want us to remove mitigations – including certification – not extend or tighten them.

I understand that. But all of our decisions are and must be motivated by a desire to keep people safe but also to get through what will be a challenging winter without having to re-introduce any restrictions on trade. We want if possible businesses to stay fully open over Christmas and through the winter, while also keeping Covid under control.

If an expansion of Covid certification can help us do that, it would be irresponsible not to consider it.

Presiding Officer

As the detail of this statement makes clear – and as the situation across Europe also shows – the need to carefully manage this pandemic still deprives us of any easy options.

While we hope very much to get through winter without re-introducing any further restrictions, as some other countries are now starting to do, we do have a duty to keep proportionate options under review and we will do so.

To assist with and give an insight into the factors guiding our considerations, we are also publishing an updated strategic framework today.

This covers in more detail many of the issues I have already summarized.

One of the points it reiterates is that all of us across society – individuals, businesses and other organisations – must continue to play our part in helping curb the spread of the virus.

For that reason, Cabinet Secretaries are continuing to work with COSLA, individual local authorities and businesses on the actions we need to take to reduce transmission – preferably without additional restrictions.

And I will close again by reiterating what we can all do to protect ourselves and each other.

So firstly, please do get vaccinated if you are eligible and haven’t yet done so. As I mentioned earlier, that includes going for a booster jag when you are invited.

It is never too late to get vaccinated. And it remains the single most important thing any of us can do right now.

Second, please test regularly with lateral flow devices. These, of course, can be ordered through the NHS Inform website, or collected from a local test site or pharmacies.

If you test positive, or are identified as a close contact, or have symptoms of the virus, please self-isolate and book a PCR test.

And third, please comply with the mitigations still in place.

Work from home when that is possible, wear face coverings in indoor public places – shops and public transport and when moving about in hospitality.

Wash hands and surfaces thoroughly.

And meet outdoors if that is possible. That obviously gets harder through the winter – but it is the case that outdoor environments are safer than indoors.

And when you are meeting indoors, try to open windows – anything to improve ventilation will help.

All of these precautions do still make a difference. They will protect us and those around us, and they will help to ease the burden on our NHS.

So I ask everyone to continue to stick with them and thank everyone for doing so.

Prime Minister at COP26: “Still a huge amount to do”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a press conference at COP26 yesterday:

Before heading back to London last week, I warned of the need to guard against false optimism and to not allow ourselves to think that the progress we need would be easy.

And today, having spoken with the Secretary-General, and having met negotiating teams, heads of delegations and others here at COP, it’s clear that after the surge of really positive, game-changing announcements last week on methane, on finance, on forests in particular, we are now firmly in the hard yards, the nuts and bolts of international climate diplomacy.

And the negotiations are getting tough.

And with just a few days remaining, there is still a huge amount to do.

We’ve made a difference, we hope, for our planet and our people.

We’ve moved the ball a long way down the pitch.

But now we’re stuck in a bit of a rolling maul to mix my football and rugby metaphors.

The line is in sight, but if we’re going to get there, we need a determined push to get us there.

We need to be more ambitious with better, more credible plans for implementation.

We have to bridge the gap between where we are and where we need to be if we’re going to cut emissions in half by 2030.

And we need to pull out all the stops if we’re going to do what we came here to do and that’s keep 1.5 alive and make Paris the success the world needs it to be.

Because while that 2016 agreement was a significant moment in the fight against climate change, it was ultimately a pledge of action still to come.

And it is very frustrating to see countries that have spent six years conspicuously patting themselves on the back for signing that promissory note in Paris quietly edging towards default now that vulnerable nations and future generations are demanding payment here in Glasgow.

And there really is no excuse because we know what is at stake here. We’ve been hearing it all week.

We heard it from the President of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr, who told me he spent five days travelling seven and a half thousand miles across nine time zones to make sure the voice of his people was heard.

The least we can do is pay attention when he says that if the big economies don’t do more we “might as well bomb” his islands.

We heard it from Simon Kofe, from the government of Tuvalu, who spoke to us not from a podium in a cosy conference room but knee-deep in a steadily rising Pacific Ocean.

And we heard it from Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados who so moved the opening ceremony when she warned that we are digging our own graves and asked when are the leaders finally going to lead.

And if you stood and applauded her, then you cannot now sit on your hands as the world asks you to act.

Because the world knows the mess our planet is in. The world has heard leaders from every country, every continent stand here and acknowledge the need for action. And the world will find it absolutely incomprehensible if we fail to deliver that.

The backlash from our people will be immense and it will be long-lasting. And frankly, we will deserve their criticism and opprobrium.

Because we know what needs to be done. We agree on what needs to be done. We just need the courage to get on and do it.

So this is the time for everyone to come together and show the determination needed to power on through the blockages.

To look at the science with dispassionate eyes and think about how we can compromise, how we can be flexible to meet the needs of the planet.

And for world leaders who are back in their capitals to pick up the phone to their teams here and give them the negotiating margin, give them the space they need in which to manoeuvre so we can get this done.

Here in Glasgow, the world is closer than it has ever been to signalling the beginning of the end of anthropogenic climate change.

It’s the greatest gift we can possibly bestow on our children and grandchildren and generations unborn.

It’s now within reach, at COP26 in these final days, we just need to reach out together and grasp it.

And so my question for my fellow world leaders this afternoon as we enter the last hours of COP is will you help us do that? Will you help us grasp that opportunity or will you stand in the way?

FIRST MINISTER Nicola Sturgeon has clearly enjoyed rubbing shoulders with world leaders on the international stage during COP26.

It’s quite possible there may be some new global ambasadorial role when she decides it’s time to move on, but in the meantime Ms Sturgeon is urging world leaders to go further.

Responding to the publication of the first draft agreement at the COP26 summit in Glasgow, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The draft cover text is a start, but it must be the floor – not the ceiling. The imperative for leaders now – on climate finance and the pathway to 1.5 degrees – is to negotiate the ambition significantly upwards.

“It must not be watered down. It is vital that the world emerges from COP 26 with 1.5 degrees well and truly alive, and closing the finance gap is key to that. It is also a moral obligation developed countries owe to those less developed and most vulnerable to the impact of climate change.

“I welcome the Prime Minister’s return to Glasgow today, and urge him to stay for as long as necessary until a deal is done. As has been the case all along, I will do everything I can to assist and support these efforts.

“This is a moment that future generations will judge. Either we will be judged to have failed in the face of climate catastrophe or, alternatively, to have taken a decisive step towards sustainability for our planet.

“It must be the latter. In the words of a Marshall Islands minister I met yesterday – “for countries like mine, we don’t have many COPs left – the time to act is now.””

COP26: “One week left to deliver for the world” says Prime Minister

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is urging countries to keep up the momentum on the fight against climate change in the week ahead at the COP26 summit.

The first week of COP26 saw around 120 leaders gather for the World Leaders Summit as well as negotiators, officials and ministers come together to make progress on the shared goal of limiting global temperatures to 1.5 degrees.

Progress has been made so far includes:

New commitments to net zero by middle of the century means 90% of the world economy is covered, triple the figure when the UK took on the COP Presidency.
More than 120 countries, covering 88% of the world’s forests, have agreed to end and reverse deforestation. Countries representing more than 70% of the world’s economy are committed to delivering clean and affordable technology everywhere by 2030 in the most polluting sectors.
Over 100 countries have agreed to cut their emissions of methane by 30% by 2030.
New commitments to increase finance to support developing countries to deal with the impacts of climate change and implement ambitious emissions-reductions plans.
More than 20 countries have made commitments for the first time to phase out coal power, including five of the world’s top 20 coal power-using countries, and at least 25 countries and public finance institutions commit to ending international public support for the unabated fossil fuel energy sector by the end of 2022.
45 nations have pledged urgent action and investment to protect nature and shift to more sustainable ways of farming, as well as over 100 countries now signed up to protect at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030.
The views of over 40,000 young climate leaders have been presented to ministers, negotiators and officials.

Marking the halfway point in the summit, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “There is one week left for COP26 to deliver for the world, and we must all pull together and drive for the line.

“We have seen nations bring ambition and action to help limit rising temperatures, with new pledges to cut carbon and methane emissions, end deforestation, phase out coal and provide more finance to countries most vulnerable to climate change.

“But we cannot underestimate the task at hand to keep 1.5C alive. Countries must come back to the table this week ready to make the bold compromises and ambitious commitments needed.”

Attention turns to negotiations this coming week. The UK Government says these negotiations are incredibly complicated, and notoriously hard. Teams from the UK and 195 other countries plus the EU will work to reach collective agreement on more than 200 pages of text.

They will be negotiating the issues left open by the Paris Agreement in 2015, like the process for tracking how all countries are keeping their climate commitments and how we create a fairer global system so no nation is disadvantaged by being more ambitious on cutting emissions.

Everyone has to agree, or nothing is agreed. But the progress in the first week of COP has put us in a strong position, the UK government believes.

The UK’s COP26 Presidency programme continues this coming week, with the spotlight put on transport, adaptation, gender, science, and cities and regions.

The UK has been leading the way and setting a high bar for other countries to follow – including being the first major economy to commit in law to net zero, setting one of the most ambitious targets to cut emissions by 68% by 2030, phasing out coal power by 2024, ending the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, halting deforestation by 2030, and providing £11.6bn in finance – with an extra £1bn if the economy grows as forecast – to countries on the frontline of climate change.

FIRST MINISTER: ‘STILL A LONG WAY TO GO’

Those least responsible but most affected by climate change must be heard at COP26, the First Minister has said as the second week of negotiations gets underway. Nicola Sturgeon said governments must use this week to deliver on more and fairer financial support for Global South countries.

The First Minister will meet with an interfaith group of representatives today as part of a series of meetings with Global South leaders this week.

They are expected to discuss the important role that faith and belief communities play in fostering community cohesion and how this can contribute to tackling climate change – as well as sharing their views on the current negotiations.

Following that, the First Minister will take part in a presentation with representatives from Malawi and Tanzania as part of the Glasgow Climate Dialogues, a series of talks co-hosted by the Scottish Government and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland that set out climate priorities from the Global South for COP26.

Later this week, the First Minister is expected to meet with delegates from island states and regions to discuss the particular challenges experienced by those communities and how countries in the Global North can show solidarity with them.

The First Minister said: “Some progress was made last week with commitments on forestry, methane, coal, and pledges that, if delivered, could reduce the gap between the 1.5 degree target that science says we must hit, and the 2.7 degree trajectory we are currently on, but there is still a long way to go to deliver a fair and just outcome for all countries at COP 26.

“The next five days are critical to countries in the south who need fair financial support now to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of the climate emergency and who need to see clear steps taken to keep the target of capping temperature increases at 1.5 degrees alive.

“On the day where adaptation, loss and damage as a result of climate change are at the heart of COP, I am determined to do what I can to ensure leaders and negotiators hear the voices of those most impacted by the climate emergency.

“It is why we have committed to doubling our world-first Climate Justice Fund to £24m, and announced a £1m partnership to help some of the world’s most vulnerable communities tackle structural inequalities and recover from climate induced loss and damage.

“Over the next five days the world will be watching to see if the sense of optimism that has built up through last week can be turned into real action by countries around the world to tackle the climate crisis.”

First Minister rallies delegates to climate challenge

Devolved governments, regions and cities from across the globe will today send a strong message to world leaders by committing to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will tell the General Assembly of the Under2 Coalition that by signing up to the pledge in a new memorandum of understanding, they will be signalling the level of ambition required of COP26 to keep global warming to 1.5°C.

Promising Scotland’s continued support for the coalition, which has 260 members representing 1.75 billion people and 50% of the global economy, the First Minister said: “Everyone knows what is required for this summit to be a success.

“COP26 must secure the commitments that will limit global warming to 1.5°C or, at the very least, the near term commitments that will keep that objective alive.

“It must also deliver a fair financial settlement for developing countries, one which takes account of the loss and damage caused by climate change.

“There’s no doubt that over the past week we have seen progress. But it’s also clear that we’ve not yet seen enough.

“Over the coming days, world leaders – and the biggest emitters and potential funders especially – must step up. That is essential.

“But governments like ours must continue to play our part because, while none of us are at the negotiating table, our influence and our example will be crucial in building the momentum. That’s why we are placing so much value on our coalition’s revised memorandum of understanding.

“As we move further into this decisive decade, our coalition must be ready for the challenges ahead. As European co-chair, that will be my focus.

“Scotland is determined to play its part in ensuring the long-term strength of this coalition because we recognise its enormous value and its potential to achieve even more.”

The 2021 Under2 Coalition Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by delegates during today’s General Assembly at Strathclyde University.

“Scotland is in a unique position to help make COP a success”

First Minister sets out her ambition for COP26

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will deliver a keynote speech today setting out how COP26 in Glasgow can lead the world into the green revolution.

Ms Sturgeon will call on international leaders to take credible action to limit global temperature increases and to deliver a fair financial package for the global south.

In the week that delegates arrive in Scotland’s largest city, the First Minister addressed an audience of young people and students this morning to argue that the country is uniquely placed to build a bridge between the voices of civil society and world leaders.

The First Minister said that keeping the prospect of limiting global warning to less than 1.5 degrees alive, must be more than a slogan, and that delivering on the long promised £100bn of climate finance is an essential part of ensuring good faith between developed and developing countries.

Setting out further action by the Scottish Government, she added that Scotland will do what it can to contribute to a successful outcome at the Glasgow summit by bringing together member states in the negotiating room with the world’s regions, cities and devolved governments representing almost 2 billion people.

The First Minister said: “We will take seriously the responsibility of all governments – at all levels – to show ambition, and to galvanise action. If we do that, we can all contribute towards a successful summit.

“I have said that small countries can lead the way in this, and they can, but in the coming days, it is the countries which emit the most who most need to step up. They need to make ambitious pledges to achieve net zero. And those pledges must be backed by credible actions.

“The idea of “keeping 1.5 alive”, cannot simply be a face-saving slogan. It must be real. And there must be progress in Glasgow which makes that outcome more likely.”

Speaking about Scotland’s role, she went on: “Scotland is in a unique position to help make COP a success.

“And one of the ways in which we will do that, over the next three weeks, is by acting as a bridge.

“We will use our position, as the venue for COP, to create spaces and dialogues which encourage empathy, promote understanding and help people share perspectives.

“We will encourage national governments to match the ambition of cities, regions and state governments.

“We will help those around the negotiating table to hear from activists in the developed world and from the global South.”

First Ministers urge PM Boris Johnson: Do the right thing

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has joined with the First Minister of Wales and the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland to demand Prime Minister Boris Johnson “do the right thing” by reversing the decision to withdraw the £20-a-week uplift to Universal Credit.

In a rare joint intervention, the leaders of the devolved nations have warned in a letter that the UK Government “is withdrawing this lifeline just as the country is facing a significant cost-of-living crisis.”

They have urged the Prime Minister to “consider the moral, social and economic harms” of the of this cut, and “do the right thing” and reverse his government’s decision to withdraw this funding which will harm around 6 million people across the UK.

The First Minister, along with Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and Northern Ireland First Minister and deputy First Minister Paul Givan and Michelle O’Neill say the move, which comes into effect this Wednesday, 6 October, is short sighted at a time of increases in the cost of food and fuel, rising inflation, the end of the furlough scheme, and imminent rise in National Insurance contributions.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I do not think there has been anything quite so morally indefensible in UK policy in recent times as the proposed cut to Universal Credit.

“At a time when we are facing the impact of the pandemic, Brexit and soaring costs, removing £20 per week from the lowest-income households simply cannot be defended in any way, shape or form.

“The planned cut represents the biggest overnight reduction to the basic rate of social security in more than 70 years and would sever a crucial lifeline for countless households across the UK at a time when budgets are already facing an unprecedented squeeze.

“It is an immoral, ill-thought out and ultimately counterproductive policy which simply must be stopped.

“Those on low incomes are going to find it difficult to feed their children, heat their homes, and pay their rent if the cut goes ahead. We have therefore united as the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to say to the Prime Minister: ‘Do not do this.’”

The full text of the letter is included below:

Dear Prime Minister

We are writing to call on you, with the utmost urgency, to reverse your Government’s short-sighted decision to withdraw the £20-per-week uplift to Universal Credit.

Your Government is withdrawing this lifeline just as the country is facing a significant cost-of-living crisis. This winter millions of people are facing an untenable combination of increases to the cost of food and energy, rising inflation, the end of the furlough scheme, and an imminent hike to National Insurance contributions.

There is no rationale for cutting such crucial support at a point when people across the UK are facing an unprecedented squeeze on their household budgets.

Within the last month, an overwhelming majority of elected members in Holyrood, the Senedd, Stormont and Westminster have voiced their opposition to this cut to Universal Credit, as have the four social security committees of each parliament. The four Children’s Commissioners of each nation, numerous charities and faith groups have also expressed their grave concerns as have millions of people who face additional and unnecessary hardship because of this cut to Universal Credit against the backdrop of a winter of hardship.

We note your Government’s announcement of a Household Support Fund – an acknowledgment that too many people will be unable to make ends meet this winter. Unfortunately, a £500 million fund handed out on a discretionary basis is wholly inadequate to making up the £6 billion shortfall in social security expenditure that will result from the cut to Universal Credit.

Your Government has repeatedly refused to conduct any impact analysis on the biggest overnight reduction to the basic rate of social security for more than 70 years.

As such, it is important that we draw your attention to the growing body of evidence and analysis about the harm this cut will inflict. Research by the Resolution Foundation and the Trussell Trust has highlighted the significant and devastating impact the cliff-edge withdrawal of the £20-a-week uplift to Universal Credit will have on family incomes, with an associated rise in food insecurity.

The Legatum Institute has produced sobering analysis highlighting that the £20-per-week uplift has kept 840,000 people, including 290,000 children, out of poverty in Q2 of 2021. It makes no sense at all to knowingly pursue a policy that will result in this immense and needless rise in child poverty and we ask you to consider the lasting harm and costs of this cut accordingly.

It is important to note that this will increase poverty and hardship without delivering any tangible social or economic benefits. The UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights said – when calling upon you to reverse this cut – that for a healthy and well-qualified workforce to emerge, your Government must provide adequate levels of social protection. Years of a freeze on benefits means Universal Credit has not kept pace with rising living costs. Further to this, rising inflation means that a basic rate of Universal Credit after this cut will hold less purchasing power than it did in March 2020.

To support a meaningful recovery from this pandemic we must first ensure the needs of our most vulnerable are met. This cut threatens to undermine the recovery by diminishing the capacity of six million people to make ends meet.

It is not too late for you to reverse the decision to take money out of the pockets of the poorest in society at a time when they are facing a serious cost of living crisis.

We, with the full support of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Scottish and Welsh Governments, urge you to consider the moral, social and economic harms of this cut, and do the right thing and reverse your decision to withdraw this lifeline.

A copy of this letter is being sent to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and relevant Secretary of States for the devolved nations.

Yours sincerely

Nicola Sturgeon First Minister of Scotland

Mark Drakeford First Minister of Wales

Paul Givan First Minister of Northern Ireland

Michelle O’Neill Deputy First Minister

‘A cause of real concern’: Record number of Covid cases in Scotland

4323 positive cases reported yesterday

Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday, 24 August:

Good afternoon. The CMO and I will take questions shortly.

However, I’ll give an overview first of where we are with Covid, starting with today’s statistics.

4,323 positive cases were reported yesterday – that’s 14.5% of all tests carried out.

364 people are in hospital – 8 more than yesterday.

And 43 people are in intensive care, which is a rise of 2 from yesterday.

Sadly, a further 10 deaths have been reported in the past 24 hours, which means that the total number of deaths registered, under our daily definition, is now 8,080.

As always, my condolences go to everyone who has lost someone as a result of the virus.

As of this morning, 4,085,552 people have received a first dose of the vaccine.

And 3,587,145 people have received a second dose.

Around 80% of over 18 year olds have now had both doses of the vaccine. That includes 95% of over 40s – which is a genuinely remarkable uptake.

82% of 30 to 39 year olds have had a first dose, and 68% have had both doses. For 18 to 29 years, 74% have had first doses and 41% have had second doses.

16 & 17 year olds started being offered vaccine a couple of weeks ago and 40% have now had their first jag.

So uptake figures are good. But there are still eligible people out there who are not yet vaccinated and that poses a risk – to you if you are one of them and to all of us, because it means our overall level of population immunity is not as high as it could be.

So if you are 16 or over and haven’t yet done so, please get vaccinated now. You just need to turn up at a drop-in centre – you can find out where your nearest centre is by visiting the NHS Inform site, or by checking the social media pages of your local health board.

I have two further issues I want to cover today.

In a moment, I will discuss the overall course of the pandemic – including the rise in cases that we have seen during the last week.

But before that, I want to confirm an announcement made in the last half hour or so.

The Scottish Government has always been committed to the establishment of a statutory public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic.

I can confirm that, today, we have started the process of getting the inquiry up and running. It will be established by the end of this year as promised and will take a persons-centered, human rights based approach.

We have just published draft aims and principles for the inquiry which, following consultation between now and the end of September, with interested parties, including bereaved families, are intended to become the formal Terms of Reference.

A copy of the draft and details of how to contribute views can be found on the Scottish Government website.

The Lord Advocate has also begun discussions with the Lord President about appointing a judge to lead the inquiry. It is fully our intention that this will be a judge-led inquiry.

The inquiry will look at all matters related to the handling of the pandemic that were within our devolved competence. This will include, of course, the situation in care homes.

However, we will also liaise closely with the UK Government – and with other devolved governments – on the likely terms of a UK wide inquiry. Where possible it will be important to avoid duplication and overlap to reduce the burden on those giving evidence.

However, the need for co-operation with other governments is not a reason to delay the establishment of our own inquiry.

I believe that a full public inquiry has a very important role to play, both in scrutinising the decisions we took – and indeed continue to take – in the course of the pandemic, and also in identifying and learning lessons for the future.

I therefore believe that it is appropriate to establish that inquiry as soon as possible. The process that we have begun today is an important step towards that.

The second point I want to address is the sharp rise in cases that we have seen in the last few days.

New cases in Scotland have more than doubled during the last week. This is one of the sharpest rises we have seen during the pandemic.

As a result, new cases are now slightly higher than the exceptional levels we saw in early July. In fact today’s daily figure is the largest we have ever recorded. Though it is worth remembering that we do more testing now than in the early stages of the pandemic.

Now, we always knew that cases were likely to rise as restrictions eased – so to some extent what we are seeing now is not entirely unexpected.

However, the scale of the increase is still a cause of real concern – although context is still important.

We know that vaccination is making a big difference.

Indeed that explains why so many of the new cases we are seeing just now are in younger people less likely to have had both doses of vaccine. Around half of new cases are in people under the age of 25.

We shouldn’t be complacent about that of course. Young people can fall seriously ill from Covid, including through long Covid.

And of course vaccination does not provide anyone – of any age – with 100% protection. In fact around 1/3 of new cases recently, have been in people who had been fully vaccinated.

However, vaccination does make us somewhat less likely to get Covid and significantly less likely to fall seriously ill from Covid.

That means vaccination is still significantly weakening the link between high numbers of new cases and serious harm to people’s health.

That’s why we are able to take a different – much less restrictive – approach to dealing with the virus now than was possible at earlier stages of the pandemic.

And it is worth remembering why this is important for us to do.

Children need to go to school, businesses need to trade more normally, jobs rely on businesses and all of us need to be able to live more freely and to interact with friends, family and wider networks.

Vaccination is helping us do all of that.

But – and this is the difficult part for all of us – even with vaccination, we cannot be totally relaxed about this surge either.

The link between new cases and serious health harms has been weakened, but it has not been completely broken. That means the rise in cases in the last week may well result in more people going to hospital in the coming days, perhaps requiring intensive care treatment and more people dying.

It also means that if the surge continues or accelerates – and if we start to see evidence of a substantial increase in serious illness as a result – we cannot completely rule out having to reimpose some restrictions.

Of course, we hope not to have to do that – and if we did, we would be as limited and proportionate as possible.

However – as has been the case throughout – what happens in the next few weeks will depend to some extent on all of us.

This is yet another fragile – and potentially very pivotal – moment in our journey through the pandemic.

It is a moment to remember that – even though most restrictions have been lifted – the virus is still circulating. And the Delta variant is very transmissible.

So we need to continue to take care and think about how, in our own behaviours, we can limit the ability of the virus to spread.

Indeed, in some ways, the basic precautions we can all take have become more important – not less – as life has returned so much more to normal.

So I am asking everyone today to do the following – for the sake of ourselves and each other:

First, if you are eligible and haven’t yet done so, please get vaccinated. This remains the single most important thing we can all do to keep each other safe.

The reverse of that is equally true – not getting vaccinated is putting yourself and others at greater risk.

Second, please test yourself regularly – that way, if you have the virus but don’t have symptoms, you have a chance of picking that up before going to work or out socialising and inadvertently passing it to others.

Free lateral flow tests are available by post through the NHS inform website, or for collection from test sites and local pharmacies.

If you test positive through one of these lateral flow devices – or if you have symptoms of the virus – make sure that you self-isolate, and book a PCR test.

Third, stick to the rules still in place.

For example wear face coverings in shops and public transport – this is a reasonably simple and straightforward way in which we can protect each other in indoor settings.

And lastly, be mindful of the basic steps we can take to reduce risk. Indeed, make this a moment when we all remind ourselves to keep doing these things.

Wash your hands and surfaces as regularly as possible.

Even though it’s not the law any more, keep a safe distance from people in other households if you can.

Continue to minimise physical contact where possible – like handshaking, for example.

Avoid crowded indoor places.

And meet outdoors as much as possible, especially for as long as we have reasonable weather. If you are indoors, open windows – the better ventilated a room is, the safer it is.

It is vital at this juncture that we remember to do all of these things. As we head into autumn and winter, these basic steps might also help us limit spread of flu and other viruses too.

In the coming days, we will also be liaising with businesses to encourage compliance with basic mitigations too. In particular, I am today reminding businesses to continue to support home working for now where possible.

We have come a long way and we shouldn’t lose sight of that. In so many ways, things are better.

But like other countries in this global pandemic, we face a challenging period ahead again.

Let’s come together again to get through it.

Let’s keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

And let’s maintain the progress that we’ve all worked so hard for.

Thank you.

COVID recovery: Easing on hold as Johnson presses pause button

Prime Minister: “We must learn to live with COVID”

Step 4 of England’s Roadmap paused for four weeks while vaccination programme is accelerated following significant rise in more transmissible variant
Second dose brought forward to 8 weeks for over 40s to provide strongest protection against Delta variant sooner
Restrictions to be lifted on weddings and wakes on 21 June

Step 4 will be delayed by up to four weeks in England and the vaccination programme accelerated to respond to the rapid spread of the Delta variant, the Prime Minister confirmed yesterday.

Scotland’s First Minister will give an update on Scotland’s plans later today. At present it’s planned that Scotland would move to Level 0 on 28 June, but concerns over rising numbers of the Delta variant make it likely that the date will be put back.

By 19 July, all adults in England will have been offered a first dose and around two thirds of all adults will have been offered two doses of the vaccine.

Data suggests that the Delta variant is between 40% and 80% more transmissible than the Alpha variant and is rapidly driving up case numbers.

There are currently around 8,000 cases a day, the highest since the end of February, and these are increasing by around 64% each week.

Hospitalisations are starting to rise, with the average number of people admitted to hospital increasing in England by 50% per week, and 61% per week in the North-West.

Our successful vaccination programme is weakening the link between cases and hospitalisations, but the latest evidence shows that two doses are needed to provide effective protection against the Delta variant.

The Roadmap has always been led by data and not dates, and the government’s four tests have not been met. In order to offer two vaccine doses to more people, prevent thousands of unnecessary deaths and protect the NHS, Step 4 will be delayed by up to four weeks to Monday 19 July. If the data rapidly improves this could be brought forward to 5 July.

The four tests are:

The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated
Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
Our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern

Two vaccine doses have now been shown to be highly effective in reducing hospitalisation from the Delta variant, with the latest PHE data suggesting this could be up to 96% for Pfizer-BioNTech and 92% for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

All adults aged 18 and over will now be offered a first dose by 19 July, 2 weeks earlier than planned. All adults aged 23 and 24 will be able to book their first dose from tomorrow (15 June).

By 19 July, all those aged over 50 and the clinically extremely vulnerable will have been offered their second dose, and those second doses will have taken effect.

Second doses for all over 40s will be accelerated by reducing the dosing interval from 12 weeks to 8 weeks. All over 40s who received a first dose by mid-May will be offered a second dose by 19 July.

The school holidays in England begin at the end of July, further reducing transmission among the younger age groups. Step 3 restrictions will continue in their current format with the following exceptions implemented from 21 June. No restrictions will be reimposed.

The 30-person limit will be lifted for weddings and wakes. There will be no set limit on the number of attendees, but venues must adhere to covid secure guidance, maintain social distancing and provide table service. All weddings in private settings, such as gardens, must have completed a covid risk assessment to ascertain how many guests they can host safely.

Event pilots will continue, including some Euro 2020 matches, Wimbledon, and some arts and music performances. Attendees will show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test.

Care home residents will no longer need to isolate if they leave their residence. Exceptions will include high risk visits including overnight stays in hospital.

Cases are expected to continue rising due to the transmissibility of the Delta variant, but with the acceleration of the vaccination programme hospitalisations are expected to stabilise.

Additional support is available for areas with high cases rates of the Delta variant, including surge testing, isolation support, and efforts to maximise vaccination uptake.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a statement at a press conference last night:

When we set out on our roadmap to freedom a few months ago, we were determined to make progress that was cautious but irreversible. And step by step – thanks to the enormous efforts of the British people and the spectacular vaccine roll-out we now have one of the most open economies and societies in this part of the world.

And as we have always known and as the February roadmap explicitly predicted – this opening up has inevitably been accompanied by more infection and more hospitalisation. Because we must be clear that we cannot simply eliminate Covid – we must learn to live with it. And with every day that goes by we are better protected by the vaccines and we are better able to live with the disease.

Vaccination greatly reduces transmission and two doses provide a very high degree of protection against serious illness and death. But there are still millions of younger adults who have not been vaccinated and sadly a proportion of the elderly and vulnerable may still succumb even if they have had two jabs.

And that is why we are so concerned by the Delta variant that is now spreading faster than the third wave predicted in the February roadmap. We’re seeing cases growing by about 64 per cent per week, and in the worst affected areas, it’s doubling every week.

And the average number of people being admitted to hospital in England has increased by 50 per cent week on week, and by 61 per cent in the North West, which may be the shape of things to come. Because we know the remorseless logic of exponential growth and even if the link between infection and hospitalisation has been weakened it has not been severed.

And even if the link between hospitalisation and death has also been weakened, I’m afraid numbers in intensive care, in ICU are also rising. And so we have faced a very difficult choice. We can simply keep going with all of step 4 on June 21st even though there is a real possibility that the virus will outrun the vaccines and that thousands more deaths would ensue that could otherwise have been avoided.

Or else we can give our NHS a few more crucial weeks to get those remaining jabs into the arms of those who need them. And since today I cannot say that we have met all four tests for proceeding with step four, I do think it is sensible to wait just a little longer.

By Monday 19th July we will aim to have double jabbed around two thirds of the adult population including everyone over 50, all the vulnerable, all the frontline health and care workers and everyone over 40 who received their first dose by mid-May. And to do this we will now accelerate the 2nd jabs for those over 40 – just as we did for the vulnerable groups – so they get maximum protection as fast as possible.

And we will bring forward our target to give every adult in this country a first dose by 19th July that is including young people over the age of 18 with 23 and 24 year olds invited to book jabs from tomorrow – so we reduce the risk of transmission among groups that mix the most.

And to give the NHS that extra time we will hold off step 4 openings until July 19th except for weddings that can still go ahead with more than 30 guests provided social distancing remains in place and the same will apply to wakes. And we will continue the pilot events – such as Euro2020 and some theatrical performances.

We will monitor the position every day and if after 2 weeks we have concluded that the risk has diminished then we reserve the possibility of proceeding to Step 4 and full opening sooner.

As things stand – and on the basis of the evidence I can see right now – I am confident we will not need any more than 4 weeks and we won’t need to go beyond July 19th. It is unmistakably clear the vaccines are working and the sheer scale of the vaccine roll-out has made our position incomparably better than in previous waves.

But now is the time to ease off the accelerator because by being cautious now we have the chance – in the next four weeks – to save many thousands of lives by vaccinating millions more people.

And once the adults of this country have been overwhelmingly vaccinated, which is what we can achieve in a short space of time, we will be in a far stronger position to keep hospitalisations down, to live with this disease, and to complete our cautious but irreversible roadmap to freedom.

First Minister confirms further lockdown easing from Monday

Significant easing of restrictions across retail, hospitality and travel

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced details of the further relaxation of restrictions across Scotland.

From Monday 26 April, hospitality venues such as cafés, pubs and restaurants can reopen, along with tourist accommodation. Non-essential retail outlets and close contact services such as beauty salons can also reopen, in addition to indoor attractions and public buildings such as galleries, museums and libraries.

The First Minister confirmed that all parts of the country will move to Level 3 from Monday 26 April. The remaining travel restrictions within Scotland will be lifted and travel within the UK will be permitted for any purpose. If everyone continues to follow the rules, the First Minister said it is expected that all of Scotland will move to Level 2 on Monday 17 May.

Further changes from 26 April include:

adults on the shielding list can return to the workplace, if they cannot work from home, while children who have been shielding can return to school
non-essential work inside people’s homes – such as painting, decorating or repairing – will be permitted, subject to mitigations
non-essential informal childcare will resume
driving lessons and tests can take place, while gyms and swimming pools can reopen for individual exercise
the attendance limit for funerals and weddings – and related events such as receptions – will increase to 50
cafés, pubs and restaurants can resume full outdoor service, subject to local licensing, and serve food indoors without alcohol until 8pm
takeaways to resume normal service, with physical distancing and face masks in premises

The First Minister also announced that rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) tests will be made available to anyone in Scotland and to those planning travel to the islands.

From today, anyone planning travel to the islands next week can order a free home test kit online. The first test should be taken three days before travel and the second on the day of departure.

From Monday, lateral flow home test kits will be available to anyone in the wider population who does not have COVID-19 symptoms. They can be picked up from local walk/drive-through test sites for people to test themselves twice-weekly. Anyone in Scotland who develops COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate and book a PCR test.

The expansion is aimed at finding cases that would otherwise go undetected, so those people can self-isolate and avoid transmitting the virus to those around them.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The changes that come into force next week have been hard earned by all of us. I know that many will be looking forward – quite rightly – to their first drink in a beer garden, to catching up with a friend in a café, or to going on holiday somewhere in Scotland.

“But even as we enjoy those moments, we still need to be careful. We must remember the virus is more infectious now than it was when bars and cafés were last open, so we must still stick to the rules. However, we are hopeful of seeing sustained progress in the weeks and months ahead.

“We are keeping island communities in Level 3 at the moment, so that we can allow travel between those communities and the rest of Scotland. If you are planning to travel to an island and do not have COVID-19 symptoms, we will encourage you to take two lateral flow tests for COVID-19 before you depart.

“This is an important way to reduce the risk of bringing COVID-19 into island communities. If you are travelling to an island next week, it is possible to get tests from today, and I would encourage you to do that.”

Light at the end of the tunnel as Edinburgh Leisure venues able to reopen

Edinburgh Leisure’s Chief Executive, June Peebles, has welcomed the First Minister’s latest announcement, which means their leisure centres can reopen again, after almost a four months’ closure.

As a charity responsible for running over 50 sports and leisure facilities across the Scottish capital and their Active Communities programme, which uses the power of physical activity and sport to tackle inequalities and combat the effects of inactivity, June Peebles is “looking forward to welcoming customers back and continuing to help local people enjoy active and healthy lives. Never before has health and wellbeing been so important.”

During lockdown, Edinburgh Leisure has continued to motivate their customers to keep active through their ‘Find Your Feel Good’ online hub, which has provided a range of home workout videos, as well as coaching activities and resources to support their customers to stay active and well.

Since November 2020 and during the closure, Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme has continued to work with around 450 customers per week through a blend of on-line classes and one to one sessions and ‘wellbeing’ phone calls to keep more ‘vulnerable’ customers active and well at home, safely.

Outdoor contact sports for 12–17-year-olds started back on 5 April 2021 and community access to high school sports facilities on 19 April. Edinburgh Leisure’s tennis courts and golf courses have been open since June 2020. Golf in particular, has seen an upsurge in people participating, with the uptake of their Winter Golf membership up 400%, compared to figures in 2019.

From Monday, 26 April, Edinburgh Leisure indoor venues can reopen for individual exercise. It is hoped that outdoor adult contact sport and indoor group exercise can restart on 17 May, and indoor non-contact sport from early June, as advised in the Scottish Government’s Route Map.

Just like in September 2020 when Edinburgh Leisure reopened their venues after the first lockdown, the Edinburgh Leisure experience will be different from before but customers will still receive the warm, Edinburgh Leisure welcome.

The main changes that customers will notice are:

All activities must be booked via the Edinburgh Leisure app or website.
Edinburgh Leisure continues to operate in a cashless environment, accepting contactless payments.
Safety guidance will be on display throughout the venues.
Enhanced cleaning will take place and there are additional sanitisation stations are available in the venues for use before and after each visit.
All activities are timetabled with staggered session start times to reduce congestion.
Customers must wear face coverings in communal areas, but not for their activities.

During lockdown, despite being closed, Edinburgh Leisure has continued to invest in their venues and services to enhance the customers’ experience when they return.

Some of the improvements include:

‘Easy access’ has been installed at Gracemount and Ainslie Park Leisure Centres, creating a quicker and more efficient way for customers to access their booked activities, without the need to check in at reception first. Customers simply swipe their fob or membership card when they enter a venue.
New digital technology in the form of boditrax, installed at the Royal Commonwealth Pool and MyZone at Craiglockhart Leisure Centre, will motivate customers to understand and achieve their training goals. MyZone is already available at Leith Victoria Swim Centre, Royal Commonwealth Pool, Dumbrae Leisure Centre and Ainslie Park Leisure Centre.
Their ‘Refresh’ cafes at the Royal Commonwealth Pool and The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena will also reopen on 26^th April. Although they will be operating a limited menu, customers can choose to either takeaway or sit-in. For those customers sitting in, enhanced cleaning arrangements will be in place and customers will be asked to ‘check-in’ and scan the QR code in-venue to support NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect service, which can be downloaded as an app to a customer’s phone.
To help support a return to the water, some new pool products are being introduced. New relaxed swim sessions for adults will be available at Portobello Swim Centre and the Royal Commonwealth Pool. The pool will be divided width-wise into four. Two of these areas will be for anyone who wants to swim widths, and customers won’t need to get out of the pool if they want to take a break, as long as physical distancing is maintained. The other two areas will be for customers who just want to enjoy the water but not necessarily swim widths. Again, physical distancing measures will apply.

Family swims are also available.

There’s also some bookable one to one adult swim coaching at the Royal Commonwealth Pool. Suitable for beginners or those more experienced swimmers who want to improve their stroke, these sessions will help swimmers reach their goals quicker with expert coaching from an Edinburgh Leisure swim coach.

Edinburgh Leisure is keen to support swimmers with a disability to continue to swim. As all activities need to be booked in advance, a new Carer Access Card has been created, which allows carers to book a place alongside the individual they are supporting. The access card allows a carer to book into an activity alongside an Edinburgh Leisure member at no additional cost to the carer.

June Peebles, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure said: “Edinburgh Leisure is committed to ‘building back better’ to a sustainable Edinburgh Leisure and to continue making a positive impact to the citizens of Edinburgh’s health and wellbeing – as we have done for the last 23 years.

“We’re very grateful for all the support we have received throughout lockdown from customers and the City of Edinburgh Council. The positive messages we’ve received from customers have boosted our spirits no end. The benefits of being physically active are more important than ever and we remain committed to helping Edinburgh keep active and well – always.”

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Leader and Depute Leader have promised to help businesses recover safely and sustainably, as Scotland prepares for the easing of lockdown from 26 April.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “The First Minister’s update is great news for people across the Capital – I’m sure businesses will be delighted their hard work to plan for reopening will pay off after this most challenging winter.

“Many of us are already planning catch-ups with friends, a reunion with family members from across Scotland or elsewhere in the UK or a long-awaited return to the gym.

“We need to help our local economy reopen safely and sustainably and our licensing and business support teams, along with partners like Edinburgh Leisure, are working hard to make sure that happens, helping businesses to navigate the changing guidance.

“We know residents are keen to get back to their fantastic local and city centre shops, cafés, restaurants and museums and taking advantage of so much more besides that our Capital has to offer. After so many months without these luxuries this is an opportunity for residents to rediscover their Capital.

“We’ll soon be launching a campaign, along with partners, to inspire locals and, as restrictions allow, visitors, to explore all the city has to offer and to find new places to visit, shop or dine.

“While the forthcoming lifting of restrictions is very welcome, and recognises the sustained fall in COVID cases, we must not let all of our hard work and sacrifices go to waste. We still need to stick to the rules and keep to the public health guidance. Social distancing, self-isolating and getting tested when needed will still be a feature for some time to come if we are to stay on-track for the city’s long-term recovery.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “With spring in full bloom, all children back to school and, now, the reopening of shops, hospitality venues and gyms, not to mention libraries and museums across the Capital, there is much to be hopeful about, and to look forward to over the coming months.

“I want to thank the many people who have been so patient and careful over the winter, helping us to keep COVID numbers down and preventing unneeded pressure on the NHS. It’s down to all of you that we’ll now be able to tentatively emerge from lockdown, and we’ll be working hard to support the many businesses who have sacrificed over recent months to get back up and running.

“However, as we look toward a brighter future, we still need to be mindful of the real risks the virus continues to pose – we’re not out of the woods quite yet. So please, let’s continue to keep observing the rules in place, keeping one another safe for a healthy and happy summer.”

We’re getting there: FM sets out lockdown easing timetable

The First Minister has set out a timetable for the re-opening of parts of society over the next two months.

Stay at Home regulations will be lifted on 2 April and replaced with guidance to Stay Local, with more services including hairdressers, garden centres and non-essential click and collect services able to open from 5 April.

More college students will also return to on-campus learning and outdoor contact sports will resume for 12-17 year olds on 5 April if progress on vaccination and suppression of Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues.

The Scottish Government then hopes to lift all restrictions on journeys in mainland Scotland on 26 April.

Discussions will be held with island communities already in lower levels on the possibility of having a faster return to more socialising and hospitality with restrictions on mainland travel to protect against importation of the virus.

Vaccination of all nine JCVI priority groups – more than half of the population, accounting for 99% of COVID-related fatalities – is expected to be completed by mid-April, supplies allowing.

The dates outlined are enabled by strong new evidence that suggests vaccines reduce the chances of transmitting the virus as well as reducing serious illness and death, even after a first dose.

Further expected easing on 26 April includes:

all retail premises, libraries, museums and galleries, tourist accommodation would be able to open
the hospitality sector would be able to reopen outdoors for the service of alcohol, and potentially open indoors for non-alcohol service
up to four people from two households could be able to socialise indoors in a public place such as a café or restaurant
six people from up to three households could be able to meet outdoors and the limit on wedding and funeral attendance could be raised to 50 people
gyms and swimming pools would be open for individual exercise and non-essential childcare would be permitted
non-essential work in peoples’ homes and driving lessons could resume from this date

On 17 May, it is hoped that groups of four people from two households would be able to socialise indoors in a private home, and that cinemas, amusement arcades and small scale outdoor and indoor events could restart with limits on capacity.

Further easing on this date would include outdoor contact sport for adults and indoor group exercise

The First Minister also indicated that in early June it is hoped that Scotland could move to Level 1 and by end of June to level 0.

Grants of up to £7,500 for retailers and up to £19,500 for hospitality and leisure businesses will be paid in April to help businesses re-open progressively.

These one-off re-start grants will replace ongoing Strategic Framework Business Fund (SFBF) payments and will provide more money up front to help with the costs of re-opening. Eligible businesses must have applied to the SFBF by 22 March in order to receive these payments.

The last four-weekly SFBF payment of up to £3,000 will be paid on 22 March, as scheduled. Targeted restart grants for businesses that are not in scope for the current SFBF support package may be considered if the Scottish Government receives further consequentials from the UK Government.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Vaccination is already having a significant impact on the number of deaths in Scotland, and research giving us more confidence in its effects against new variants and in helping prevent transmission.

“That gives us more confidence in setting possible dates for our next steps out of lockdown in addition to the significant changes set out last week to allow more socialisation, and get children back to school as soon as possible.

“It is not possible to provide specific dates or details for coming out of lockdown beyond 17 May – that will depend on what impact there is from the changes already made – however my hope and ambition is that from early June, all of Scotland will effectively be in level 1 of the levels system, allowing for a further easing of restrictions – and possibly moving to level 0 in late June.

“That is not the endpoint – we hope and expect that vaccination, better treatments, continued use of the test and protect system, and proportionate ongoing precautions such as good hand hygiene will allow us to keep COVID under much greater control.

“This will allow us to enjoy many of the things that we took for granted before the pandemic– normal family gatherings where we can hug our loved ones, sporting events, gigs and nightclubs.

“I cannot set a date for that point yet, but I do believe that over the coming weeks as more and more adults are vaccinated it will be possible to set a firmer date by which many of these normal things will be possible, and I am very optimistic that this date will be over the summer.

“Thanks to the sacrifices we all made three months ago, and the success of the vaccination programme we are now in a much better and brighter position, with well-earned optimism as we look ahead to the summer.

“We are getting the virus under control, but it is still dangerous, and to reach these dates it’s more important than ever now to stay within the rules – until 2 April stay at home, except for essential purposes; don’t meet people from other households indoors, and follow the FACTS advice when out and about.”

Responding to the announcement of the timetable for lifting estrictions, CAMRA Scotland’s Director Joe Crawford said: “Pub goers, licensees and brewers will be disappointed to see our pubs being treated unfairly compared to similar businesses like cafés and non-essential retail.

“The return of curfews and a ban on alcohol being consumed indoors is devastating news for the industry which is looking to reopen covid-secure venues so that people can socialise safely. For many businesses it just won’t be worthwhile opening back up as they won’t be able to turn a profit under these draconian restrictions.

“Restart grants announced today are welcome – but without a full and proper reopening, and with continuing restrictions like table-service only requirement lasting for the foreseeable future, it is vital that the Scottish Government provides dedicated financial support for our pubs, social clubs and the breweries that serve them until they can trade at full capacity.

“CAMRA are also campaigning for the UK Government to cut tax on beer served in pubs to help them compete with supermarkets.”

Responding to the latest update on lockdown restrictions and the outline of indicative dates for the re-opening of the economy from the First Minister, Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Businesses have been patiently waiting for indicative dates to re-open and today’s announcement is a good start. It will enable many businesses and customers to start planning and preparing for re-opening with confidence and optimism.

“In particular, the intention to relax travel restrictions should support the viability of the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors. We are pleased to hear that the Scottish Government will work with the UK Government and the travel & aviation sectors to look at the detail as to how international travel can re-open safely and quickly.

“We also need to see clarification of what is allowed in the various levels of restrictions, sooner rather than later. We would urge alignment across all UK nations which enables the industry to restart together and to avoid confusion for travellers.

“There is still a lot of work to be done to plan for the re-opening of the remaining sectors of the economy. We are now looking to engage on the granular detail of the levels, associated criteria and trigger points. We will work with government to help enable that to be done as quickly and as safely as possible, in line with the continued successful roll-out of the vaccination programme.”

On the establishment of restart grants, Dr Cameron said: “It makes more sense to provide businesses with a lump sum so they can deploy these resources where it can be of most use – businesses themselves are the best judges of this.

“Businesses will welcome the certainty of when they can expect the funds to be allocated and we look forward to working with Scottish Government and local government to ensure this process runs as smoothly as possible.”

‘Tough times ahead’ for licensed hospitality sector, warns Scottish Licensed Trade Association, following the First Minister’s statement today.

The SLTA has expressed bitter disappointment after today’s announcement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that bars, restaurants and cafés will not be able to serve alcohol indoors when the licensed hospitality industry reopens next month.

Warning that there remain “tough times ahead” for licensed hospitality as Scotland slowly emerges from lockdown, SLTA managing director Colin Wilkinson said: “This is not the news we were hoping for. Yes, it’s good news for those bars, restaurants and cafés with suitable facilities who will be able to serve people outdoors – in groups of up to six from three households – until 10pm from 26 April.

“However, for indoor hospitality, today’s news is yet another bitter blow and we are surprised that the Scottish Government has chosen not to allow premises to sell alcohol when they reopen next month. “We of course welcome the news that from 17 May, hospitality venues will be able to open until 10.30pm indoors with alcohol permitted and, for outdoors, until 10pm.

“We welcome these indicative dates for reopening as they provide more clarity for businesses but overall, these slight lifting of restrictions don’t go far enough and, for the majority, reopening will remain unviable. We’re bitterly disappointed.”

The SLTA welcomed confirmation that on 22 March, recipients of support under the Strategic Business Framework Fund will receive a final four-week payment then in April a further combined payment of a two-week payment under the Strategic Business Framework Fund and eligible hospitality and leisure businesses will also receive a further payment of up to £19,500 in the form of a restart grant.

But Wilkinson added: “Restrictions will continue into June and beyond, leading businesses further into debt.

“The typical small hospitality business has taken on between £60,000 and £90,000 in bank debt and deferred bills as of February this year just to survive Covid – and the debt is rising with every week of low or no income.

“If there is a positive to come out of today’s announcement it is that we have something to work towards but that doesn’t change the fact that for a very high percentage of business, reopening in April will simply be unviable.”

Council leaders are encouraging communities and businesses to ‘stick with it’ after a proposed date for lifting the ‘stay at home’ rule was announced today by the Scottish Government.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “This is a welcome and clear roadmap out of lockdown that gives us all something positive to look forward to.

“The successful roll-out of the vaccine programme and the fall in positive cases across Edinburgh is testament to the collective efforts of our health services, our residents and our businesses. The hard work and sacrifices we’re making are the only way can achieve the roadmap and return to normal.

“We are moving in the right direction, with rates across the city at one of the lowest levels since spring last year. We must stick with it and stay within the guidelines, to continue to keep the virus under control and keep our communities safe.

“I know so many of our local traders are anxious to open their doors again and I hope everyone will join me in getting out when we can to support businesses near us and in our city centre. We’ll very soon be able to fully enjoy everything our amazing city has to offer and welcome back friends and visitors to our Capital.

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “Tuesday 23 March, a week today, marks a full year since the country went into lockdown and our condolences go out to all those who have lost loved ones during this unprecedented crisis. We will remember them during a national silence next Tuesday.

“Today’s announcement is really good news for businesses across Edinburgh as travel restrictions look to be eased across Scotland from 26 April. Opening up retail, hospitality and tourism gives us all something to look forward to and meeting up with more loved ones in outdoor settings for something to eat and drink will be a real treat again.

“Until then it’s important we don’t drop our guard – we need to continue to observe this gradual, phased approach so we can protect people’s health and safety while working towards Edinburgh’s successful recovery from the pandemic. We all want to keep the virus under control and keep everyone safe.

“So for now, until 2 April, our advice remains the same – please stay at home and help save lives. Hope’s on the horizon and we’ll get there even faster if we stick together now.”

Responding to the First Minister’s announcement on an indicative timeline for lifting restrictions, STUC General Secretary said: “We welcome this cautious approach that is entirely reliant on continuing progress in suppressing the virus. The implications for public health and sustainable economic recovery of moving too fast would be catastrophic.

“We have no doubt that the First Minister will continue to be subject to sustained pressure from bosses in many sectors, including hospitality, to move more quickly but this must be resisted.

“We believe that effective test, trace and isolate measures are essential, along with the flexibility to increase local restrictions when necessary to control any outbreaks.

“For the sake of the public’s health and the safety of workers we need the future return to work to be a steadily managed stream and not a torrent.
“It is essential that the proposed return of students to colleges and universities is only undertaken with full and early consultation of education unions.

“We urge employers planning the return to work to learn from previous mistakes made during the emergence from the first lockdown. They must ensure that all continuing guidelines on social distancing and face coverings in the workplace continue.

“They must respect any ongoing fears and concerns of their own workers and, critically, fully consult with employees both on what is expected of them and on the protection they have a right to expect. Any worker with concerns should contact their union or the STUC.”