Targeted approach planned for high prevalence areas
Community testing in areas with high coronavirus (COVID-19) prevalence will begin in January, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has announced.
In a statement to Parliament on Scotland’s testing and vaccination programmes, Ms Freeman confirmed that community testing resources will be targeted at communities with high transmission rates, following successful trials in early December.
Local authorities will be asked to submit proposals for the programme in early January, which will be delivered in partnership with NHS Boards and supported with additional funding and resources, including mobile testing units and asymptomatic test sites, to provide PCR and lateral flow testing respectively.
In order to better target community testing, waste water sampling undertaken by SEPA and Scottish Water to track COVID prevalence will be expanded from 60 to around 200 tests per week throughout Scotland by the end of January, supported by £1.1 million in additional funding.
Discussions with local authorities are also underway regarding two models of school testing to be trialled in January. The first model will involve in-school testing using lateral flow devices, while the second will involve at-home sampling for PCR testing.
Ms Freeman also confirmed that a total of 56,676 people have received their first dose in the first two weeks of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, which aims to vaccinate all those on the JCVI prioritisation list by the end of Spring 2021. Once this group is complete, vaccination will start for the wider population, subject to available supplies.
The use of larger centres in heavily populated areas such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, and Lanarkshire is being investigated to supplement local and mobile solutions for those in remote and rural areas.
NHS Boards have also been asked to continue recruitment and redeployment, with the aim of securing around 1400 vaccinators and 800 support staff by the end of January.
Ms Freeman said: “I want to acknowledge the sheer effort that has been put in to enable what has been delivered already through our testing and vaccination programmes, and what we will deliver, as I have set out in Parliament today.
“Each of these programmes presents a major logistical challenges in and of themselves. Many people from different organisations and communities have come together to make them possible and I want to put on record my sincere thanks to everyone involved.
“These are incredibly tough times for everyone, at the end of what has already been an incredibly tough year, but this continued expansion of our testing and vaccination programmes will help us meet the challenge we face to drive down COVID rates in Scotland to the lowest possible level.
“Both are vital tools in our work to suppress the virus to the lowest possible level in Scotland, but they are only as important as the other measures we have including the Levels approach, enhanced support for our NHS and care sectors and critically, individuals doing the right thing by following FACTS – all of which are crucial to prevent the spread of this harmful virus through our communities.”
F – Face coverings A – Avoid crowded places C – Clean your hands regularly T – Two metres distance S – Self isolate and book a test if you have symptoms
Homeware stores and garden centres to close in level 4
Homeware stores and garden centres will close in all level 4 areas from Boxing Day with the exception of click and collect.
Members of the public within level 4 are also being urged to stay close to home where possible to help stop the spread of Coronavirus (COVID19).
The stricter definition of essential retailers and new stay at home message have been introduced to help tackle the new variant of the virus which can spread far more quickly and easily.
The changes were announced during a statement to Parliament by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday. She said: “Given the severity of the situation we face and the need to limit interactions as much as possible, we intend to define essential retail more narrowly than we have done recently.
“In short, that means homeware stores and garden centres will be classed as non-essential and will therefore require to close, with the exception of click and collect.
“Financial support will remain available for businesses affected and the Finance Secretary is urgently assessing what more the Scottish Government can do, particularly for the sectors most affected.
“For those living in level 4 areas – which from Saturday will be the vast majority of us – our strong advice is to stay as local as possible and to stay at home as much as possible.
“We will be considering in the days ahead whether we need to place that advice in law.
“As more evidence of the impact of this new strain becomes available, we will consider whether there is a need to strengthen level 4 restrictions any further.”
An alliance of leading providers of services to vulnerable children and young people has called on the Scottish Government to ensure that those with complex and high-level needs receive the support they are legally entitled to.
The call from the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), which campaigns to improve services for these children and young people, comes as the latest statistics highlight a dramatic decline in the number of children with additional support needs (ASN), such as autism, dyslexia and ADHD, receiving a so-called co-ordinated support plan (CSP).
Despite a Scottish Government promise that there would be no reduction in the proportion of pupils receiving them since their introduction in 2004, there has been a significant fall in the number of pupils with CSPs, from 3,448 in 2012 [1] to 1,534 in 2020 [2], amounting to a drop of 55.5 per cent (publicly funded primary, secondary and special schools). This is a reduction from 2.9 per cent to 0.7 per cent of those with ASN and currently amounts to 0.2 per cent of the pupil population.
This is against the background of an almost doubling in the number of those with ASN from 118,034 in 2012 to 226,838 pupils in 2020, amounting to 32.3 per cent of pupils.
In May 2019, the Scottish Government announced that it will review the use of CSPs, which the SCSC had also called for, but despite this being more than 18 months ago, this has yet to be published.
A CSP is a legal document, the only education plans that are legal documents, requiring services such as education, health and social work to work together to give a child or young person the support they need. It provides some guarantees of entitlement to additional resources and legal redress, placing statutory duties on local authorities to review and ensure the provisions contained within it are being met.
While those with ASN come disproportionately from the most deprived neighbourhoods, they have a lower proportion receiving a CSP when compared with those from the least deprived neighbourhoods.
This raises concerns that those from deprived communities who are entitled to a CSP are not receiving this required legal support.
Local authorities are more reluctant to provide a CSP than previously, viewing them as cumbersome and time-consuming. They instead prefer to use other types of plans, such as Child Plans, which are not legally enforceable. Many local authorities are now not providing them unless the parents or carers request them, reinforced by the fact that cuts in health, education and social work services mean that authorities are reluctant to provide such support.
Parents or carers on the other hand believe statutory plans are important to ensure the needs of children and young people are properly recorded and reviewed.
This is in contrast with England where the number of those receiving an education, health and care plan (EHCP), the CSP equivalent, is 3.3 per cent of the pupil population, fifteen times the rate of that in Scotland and is on the increase and amounts to 27.3 per cent of those with special education needs (SEN).[3]
This is an important difference between the countries. While more than a quarter of SEN pupils in England have a statutory support plan, less than one per cent of ASN pupils in Scotland have equivalent legislative protection.
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “It is clearly of some concern that we are experiencing a decline in the use of CSPs, which are designed to support those with the most complex needs.
“This is despite an increase in the numbers of those requiring such support and is in contrast with south of the border where the number of those with the equivalent of a CSP is more than a quarter of those with special educational needs while in Scotland it is less than 1 per cent for those with additional support needs.
“The disparity in those with a CSP between those in the least and most deprived areas is troubling, as if we are to close the educational gap, it is key that we target the resourcing to those in the most deprived communities.
“We are also concerned about the disparities that exist between local authorities on such support, which clearly raises concerns about how such a policy is being implemented and a lack of standardisation of who is identified as having ASN and who get a CSP.
“It is vital that the Scottish Government urgently publishes its review of CSPs, which has now been ongoing for more than 18 months and working with local authorities ensures that those who require a CSP get it, making parents and carers aware of their legal rights.”
An agreement to reopen the UK-French border to allow accompanied freight services and some passenger services to resume between the two countries was reached by the UK and French governments last night.
Rail, air and sea services will resume this morning, with all people travelling from the UK into France required to show proof of a negative Coronavirus test taken within the previous 72 hours.
The protocol agreed with the French Government will be reviewed on 31 December, but could run until 6 January. All lorry drivers, irrespective of nationality, will require a lateral flow test.
This can detect the new strain of COVID-19 and provide results in around 30 minutes, rather than the 24 hours required after a PCR test.
The French government will also carry out sample testing on incoming freight to the UK.
The UK government continues to strongly urge hauliers not to travel to Kent until further notice, while a mass testing programme for HGV drivers gets underway to alleviate congestion at ports.
Operation Stack remains in force along the M20 while lorry drivers in Kent are continuing to be directed to the Manston holding facility, where they have access to food and welfare facilities.
Under the agreement announced this evening, admittance into France will only be granted to those travelling for urgent reasons – including hauliers – French citizens, and British citizens with French residency.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “I am pleased that we have made this important progress with our French counterparts this evening. This protocol will see the French border reopen to those travelling for urgent reasons, provided they have a certified negative COVID test.
“We continue to urge hauliers not to travel to Kent until further notice as we work to alleviate congestion at ports.”
The Transport Secretary also announced the temporary relaxation of drivers’ hours for hauliers to help drivers get through UK borders safely, including via Kent, during the coming weeks. The rules came in force at midnight.
Scotland’s Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has called for drivers moving goods such as seafood and salmon to be prioritised as an agreement is reached to allow hauliers into France.
Speaking after a discussion with the UK Transport Secretary last night, Mr Matheson, said: “This has been an extremely worrying time for a number of our sectors who are heavily dependent on the Channel ports, especially at this time of year.
“It has provided an alarming insight into the likely disruption a No Deal Brexit or any additional trade barriers will bring, and I would again stress the need to extend the transition period while the country gets to grips with coronavirus (Covid-19).
“I spoke with the UK Transport Secretary and am pleased that he reported that significant progress had been made regarding arrangements to reopen the closure of the French border to UK freight and that the UK Government has agreed that a Lateral Flow Test – of similar quality to that being used by the NHS – will permit drivers and other essential travellers to travel to France within 72 hours of a clear test. Arrangements will be in place until 6 January, with a mutual review agreed for 31 December.
“The UK Government has informed us that they have a plan to deploy Lateral Flow Tests to drivers at locations in Kent where drivers are parked, and UK Ministers must now urgently prioritise those drivers with perishable goods, such as Scottish seafood and salmon.
“What has always been of concern is the impact on exporters, not least of Scotland’s premier food produce rightly in demand in Europe. This is their most critical time of year and the dismay caused by the uncertainty and length of delay has been avoidable and regrettable.
“Now we have clarity on the type of test required, the Scottish Government will work with the haulage industry and the NHS to explore how we can support drivers to take those tests in Scotland in the future, before beginning their journey.
“To reiterate, Scotland is currently well stocked with food and medical supplies. We remain in close communication with the NHS and with food retailers and there is no issue that causes concern for the immediate few days ahead. What has always been of concern is the impact on exporters, not least of perishable goods such as seafood. This is their most critical time of year and right now, and the dismay caused by the uncertainty and length of delay has been avoidable and regrettable.
“I have again raised the question of financial support for those hit by this action with the UK Government. We stand ready to help in any practical way we can as this situation develops and will keep all actions under active review.”
Tourism and hospitality businesses across Scotland are to benefit from a £104.3 million package of support in the New Year.
The funding is part of the short term response to the Scottish Tourism Recovery Taskforce recommendations and follows lengthy discussions with industry to target support specifically where it is needed the most.
It is part of the £185 million package previously announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. Further work will be urgently undertaken to establish what additional support is needed in light of the announcement to move mainland Scotland to level 4 and the Scottish islands to level 3 from Boxing Day.
Businesses required to close by law are currently able to claim up to £3,000 every four weeks through the Strategic Framework Business Fund.
Areas set to benefit include:
£19.2 million to provide one-off grants for hospitality businesses
£50.8 million for businesses with a rateable value of more than £51,000 that have not received support from the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund or Hotel Support Programme and some additional support to smaller businesses impacted by restrictions
£11.8 million for international inbound, coach tourism and domestic tour operators
£7 million for self-catering
£5 million for visitor attractions
£2.5 million for outdoor tourism
£2.3 million for hostels
£2 million for ski centres
£1.5 million for travelling show people ineligible for other support
£1.2 million for Destination Management Organisations
£1 million for B&Bs and guest houses excluded from the latest Non Domestic Rates scheme
Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “It’s been a particularly bruising year for our tourism and hospitality sectors. The COVID-19 crisis has shattered previously successful businesses and we are committed to doing everything possible to get them back on their feet. These funding streams seek to throw a lifeline to some sectors that we know are particularly vulnerable and may not have access to help from other sources.
“We’ve already invested well over £2.3 billion to support businesses across Scotland, including 100% rates relief for pubs and restaurants but we know this is not enough. The restrictions, as necessary as they are, continue to have a profound effect and it is fair to say that tourism and hospitality businesses are feeling it more than most. This funding will provide a vital lifeline in the build up to what should be much of the industry’s busiest time of the year.
“The funding aligns in the short term with many of the tourism taskforce’s recommendations and I am grateful to it for its work on this.
“Clearly, in light of the enhanced restrictions announced at the weekend to control the spread of the virus, we will be undertaking further work on what additional support is needed by businesses, including for the longer term. There is a need to move quickly to ensure the sector is adequately supported and ready to go again, when the time is right.”
Mairi Gougeon appointed Minister for Public Health and Sport
New role for local MSP Ben Macpherson
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has appointed Mairi Gougeon as the new Minister for Public Health and Sport, among a range of new appointments which she said come “at a crucial time for Scotland” as the nation faces a number of challenges.
As well as the wider role of improving Public Health and promoting sport at all levels in Scotland, Ms Gougeon will play a key role in tackling the pandemic with responsibility for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing across Scotland, with the Health Secretary taking the lead on the delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations.
Ben Macpherson is to become Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, supporting both Roseanna Cunningham and Fergus Ewing where he will focus on the impacts of Brexit on the rural economy, support efforts to tackle climate change and to protect our wildlife and biodiversity.
Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation Ivan McKee will take on additional responsibilities for supporting Finance Secretary Kate Forbes as the Scottish Government prepares to publish its Budget early in the new year.
Minister for Europe and International Development Jenny Gilruth is to take on responsibility for Migration.
Last week the First Minister nominated Angela Constance as Minister for Drugs Policy.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “At a crucial time for Scotland, these new appointments ensure that we have a ministerial team fully focused on tackling the many important challenges facing us.
“Mairi Gougeon has proven herself to be a highly effective Rural Affairs minister working with stakeholders, balancing competing interests and taking on difficult policy challenges. She will now be part of the team protecting and improving Scotland’s public health, and will play a key role in the pandemic, taking the lead on testing.
“Mairi will work alongside the new Minister for Drugs Policy Angela Constance, who is tasked specifically with tackling what is another major public health emergency in Scotland.
“Ben Macpherson takes on the environment post at a critical time in our fight against climate change and as we take new steps to protect Scotland’s wonderful and diverse natural environment. Having previously worked on Climate Justice and Climate Finance, Ben will continue our work to protect wildlife, enhance biodiversity and support Scotland’s rural economy.
“With responsibility for migration, Jenny Gilruth will be working to tackle the demographic challenge threatening to undermine our economy and our society, and Ivan McKee will assist Kate Forbes in supporting firms through the pandemic, ensuring Scottish Government procurement backs Scottish business and in preparing our Budget early in the new year.”
First Minister’s daily press briefing, Monday 21 December:
Thanks for joining us. Before I start today, can I say mainly for the benefit of the journalists on the line that I will require to end this briefing by 13:30, at the latest, even if we haven’t got through all of the questions, which I will obviously try to do.
I understand that the COBR meeting planned for today is likely to take place from 13:30, at any time from 13:30 onwards. Obviously, I have to be free to participate in that.
I will speak in a few moments about the announcements I set out here on Saturday evening and I will also reflect on some of the decisions that have been made and intimated over the weekend by other countries in respect of closing borders with the UK but first of all, let me begin with today’s statistics.
The total number of positive cases reported yesterday was 1,504.
That represents 6% of the total number of tests carried out, and the overall number of confirmed cases is now 113,050.
As you will have noticed, today’s figure represents a significantly higher number of new cases than we have seen in recent times.
We think that this may be, in part, down to a processing backlog last week within the UK Lighthouse system.
So please be aware that today’s figures may be affected by that backlog of cases now coming through the system and being reported on. However we are doing further analysis of these case numbers to confirm that.
I can also confirm that 1,078 people are currently in hospital – that is an increase of 17 from yesterday.
59 people are in intensive care, which is 1 more than yesterday.
No additional deaths have been registered in the last 24 hours, of a patient who first tested positive over the previous 28 days.
However, as you know, registration offices tend to be closed at weekends – and so the figures we report for deaths on Sundays and Mondays can be artificially low as a result of that.
In total, since Friday’s update, 44 deaths have been registered.
That takes the total number of deaths, under this daily measurement to 4283.
Every single one of those deaths is obviously a source of heartbreak. And yet again, I want to send my thoughts and my condolences to everyone who has been bereaved as a result of this pandemic.
I am joined today by the Chief Medical Officer, and by the Chief Constable. The Chief Constable will talk about Police Scotland’s approach to enforcing Covid regulations as we head into the Christmas period.
For my part, let me stress again, how much I and the Scottish Government values the hard work, professionalism and public service of Scotland’s police officers and the staff who support them. Those qualities are always appreciated, but have been particularly important and valued during the last few difficult months.
The main thing I want to do in my remarks today, is to reflect a bit more on developments over the weekend.
I’m going to spend a bit of time on these, because I do know and I understand how upsetting Saturday’s announcements, in particular, were for so many of you.
The first thing I want to do is reiterate the point that none of the actions I announced on Saturday were taken lightly.
The analysis so far of this new variant of Covid that has been identified in the UK does give us real cause for concern – because the indications at this stage are that it is much more transmissible than previous strains of the virus.
Let me stress through that there is no evidence so far that this new strain causes more severe illness and I think that is reassuring.
Further analysis of this new strain is being carried out, so there is much we still have to learn, but given what we have been advised so far, it is essential to take the risk seriously and act accordingly.
The key lesson of the last ten months is that if we are complacent in the face of this virus, or if we act too slowly, or if we wait for all possible information before making decisions, the virus can run away from us very quickly – with very serious consequences.
So that is the context for the strong precautionary and preventative action we announced on Saturday.
Let me now turn to some of the detail and consequences of that.
Firstly, I will address the announcements yesterday that several countries – including France – have instituted travel bans to prevent people from the UK entering their countries.
Our advice for individuals here is already that you should not travel to or from Scotland, unless it is absolutely essential.
Indeed, travel to and from other parts of the UK without an essential reason is prohibited by law for now.
This is a decision we do not take lightly – but one that is necessary to prevent more of this new strain entering Scotland.
In terms of international travel, most of the attention overnight, of course, has been on the decision by France to put in place a ban on accompanied freight traffic, essentially lorry traffic, entering France.
France has said this morning that they hope to establish a protocol to enable movement to resume – something that we very much welcome. However we do not yet know exactly when that will take effect.
We hope the current situation will improve over the course of the day – but of course for as long as it pertains, it has significant implications for many businesses in Scotland.
It affects the ability of exporters, including our important seafood sector, to deliver to overseas markets. And it also affects our ability to import certain goods and supplies into the UK and into Scotland.
I will chair a Scottish Government resilience meeting on this later today. Before that, as I indicated at the outset, I will take part in a COBR meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister, bringing the UK Government and devolved governments together to discuss these issues and we are working very closely with the UK Government and we will continue to do so to mitigate any impacts.
I have heard calls from our food sector for the UK Government to take a number of steps to enable them to continue to export, and I support those calls.
In particular the UK has planned for port disruption as part of a no deal Brexit, and those plans should now be activated.
We have also urged the UK Government to seek to extend the current Brexit transition period, or to secure a grace period before any deal is implemented, to prevent further disruption.
I think everybody would accept that all of us have enough on our plates to deal with right now, without compounding those difficulties by the end of the Brexit transition period.
For the moment, however, I want to stress two key points.
Firstly, the stockpiles of medicines being built up ahead of Brexit are in place – and so whilst we monitor medicine supply very carefully, we have no immediate concern. We are also assured that there is no risk to supplies of the Covid vaccine.
And secondly, we have been assured by supermarkets that they are well stocked for Christmas. So there is absolutely no need for people to buy any more than you normally would.
I would ask everybody to please support each other and shop responsibly. These are difficult times we are living through but we have been served well by that spirit of solidarity and it is important that it continues over this next period.
Let me now turn to the decisions I set out on Saturday.
Some have questioned, and indeed I anticipated this on Saturday, the need for these actions given that overall prevalence of Covid in Scotland is currently quite a bit lower than in some other parts of the UK.
There is two points it’s important for me to make about that.
Firstly, Scotland’s case numbers have been volatile in recent days – and after some weeks of decline, and I indicated this earlier last week, we think they may be rising again.
Today’s numbers, indeed even with that caveat I put around these earlier on, have shown that may be the case.
Because of that, our R number has risen, and after a couple of weeks of it being slightly below one, we think it is now hovering around 1 again.
So even without the new strain we have no room for complacency as we head deeper into the winter.
However, it is the concern about the new strain that necessitated the very stringent actions I set out on Saturday.
We know this strain already exists in Scotland – though we think it is still at lower levels than in the south of England.
However, if it is the case – as early analysis suggests – that this strain is up to 70% more transmissible and that it could add up to .4 to an R number already hovering around 1, the risk of it rapidly spreading here – as it appears to be doing in some other parts of the UK – is very real.
In London and the south east of England, it is thought that this new strain might already account for between 40 – 60% of all new cases.
That’s what we’ve got to stop here in Scotland and that’s the reason for the actions that I announced on Saturday.
As I said earlier on, over the course of this pandemic, perhaps the most important thing we have learned, I know it is perhaps the most important thing I have learned, is that failing to act quickly, is almost always a mistake in the face of Covid.
If we do nothing now, we are likely to see more new infections in Scotland as a result of this variant – placing an even greater strain on our health service, and unfortunately leading to more deaths.
But as things stand, with our lower prevalence in a relative sense, we still do have a chance of keeping this situation under control while the vaccination programme continues – and while we get case numbers back to very low levels again.
That is why we announced action on Saturday on two fronts – to stop more cases of this new variant from coming into Scotland, and to stop it spreading further within the country.
In relation to the first of those, as I said earlier – we are maintaining a strict travel ban on non-essential travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
That ban – which will not be relaxed at all over Christmas, even on Christmas Day unfortunately – is one of the issues the Chief Constable will talk about in his remarks.
However since this variant has already established a foothold in Scotland, we also need to reduce the risk of it spreading further here.
We have taken three key decisions to do that.
Firstly, we are now enabling indoor mixing between households only on Christmas Day itself, and only within Scotland – rather than over a 5 day period across the UK.
Fundamentally, though, my advice is not to meet indoors at all, even on Christmas day, if you can possibly avoid it. If you can, see family from other households outdoors only.
The second key decision that we have taken, is to impose tighter restrictions after Christmas.
We will apply level 4 measures to all of mainland Scotland from Boxing Day morning, from one minute past midnight on Boxing Day for a period of 3 weeks although we will review these level 4 restrictions after 2 weeks.
What that means is that from Boxing Day morning, non-essential shops will close. So will pubs, cafes and restaurants, apart from for takeaways. And we will be asking everyone to work hard to reduce any unnecessary interactions with other households.
Non-essential travel to and from different local authority areas will also be prohibited from Saturday.
The exceptions to level 4 will be Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, and the other island communities where we have reduced restrictions in recent weeks. These areas will go into level 3 but, again, with no non-essential travel to and from them.
The third key decision on Saturday was to delay the return of schools after the holidays. Again, a decision we did not take lightly. Everybody knows how hard all of us have worked to keep our schools open from August.
This decision means that – with the exception of children of key workers and more vulnerable children – pupils will not return to learning until 11 January and then, until the 18 of January at least, schools will be online only.
These were all decisions I wish we didn’t have to make, and I know they were horrible decisions for all of you to have to hear.
I am well aware of the impact that level 4 restrictions in particular will have – on people’s wellbeing, and on businesses such as retailers and the hospitality sector.
I spent a fair bit of time when I went home on Saturday night after doing the media briefing here, reading the many emails I had received.
I think it is important for me to do that. And these were from people, many completely understanding of the need for these decisions – but nevertheless who wanted me to know the impact on them and their families. It is heart breaking for so many of you.
And I want you to know I do understand. And if I thought there was an alternative to any of these decisions, I would take that alternative in a heartbeat.
But I know the consequences of not acting now to stop this virus could be catastrophic.
So I am genuinely sorry to have to do these things. But believe me when I say they are necessary.
We can’t take the risk of allowing this new variant to spread as rapidly in Scotland, as it appears to be doing in some other parts of the UK.
We know that this virus, like all other viruses, it exists solely to spread to as many other people as possible, that’s how it survives. And what we unfortunately now know, is that it seems to have become much better at doing that through the new variant.
So if we don’t act now to curb it’s spread, we run the risk of cases running out of control in the early part of the new year.
The restrictions we have put in place and that will come into effect over the weekend give us a much better chance of preventing that while we allowing more of the population – especially those who are most vulnerable to the virus – to become vaccinated.
And while I know that it is very difficult to hear talk of lights at the end of the tunnel right at this moment in time, we shouldn’t forget that the vaccination does give us that hope for the future that we haven’t had at any point in these last 10 months.
The final point I want to make before handing over to the Chief Constable, is that although the new variant of the virus seems to transmit more easily – it can still be stopped in its tracks and the way to stop it in its tracks are through the same measures we have emphasised so many times before.
Physical distancing from people in other households, 2 metres if and when at all possible; washing hands as often as you can; wearing face masks; opening windows while indoors; staying outdoors with other households as much as possible – all of these things still work in reducing the transmission of the virus.
In fact, this new variant has made them more important than ever. So after ten months of all of us becoming really fed up of all of these measures, it is important now more than ever that we really do try to remember them at all times.
That’s why we are asking you to avoid indoor meetings on Christmas Day as far as possible, difficult though I know that is – because indoor meetings are the best possible environment for the virus to spread.
And it’s also why every single one of us should still be remembering the facts advice.
face coverings
avoid crowded places
clean your hands and clean hard surfaces
keep two metres distance from people from other households
and self-isolate, and get tested immediately, if you have symptoms.
I know how difficult all of this is. The last 10 months have been unremittingly hard for everybody. And I suspect this next two weeks are going to be even harder yet, it’s a time of year when we should be looking forward to spending time with our loved ones. I do know how tough it is but this is necessary.
We must do these things to get us through this next phase of the pandemic, while the vaccination programme gathers pace as safely as possible.
I can never thank you enough for continuing to bear these sacrifices and continuing to do all of the things necessary to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe. So thank you, for all of that.
Additional funds for grassroots and independent venues
An additional £7.1 million to secure the future of as many grassroots music venues and independent museums as possible has been announced by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop.
The next phase of the Grassroots Music Venue Stabilisation Fund will provide £4 million to live music venues that were financially sustainable before coronavirus (COVID-19) to prevent permanent closure and stabilise until April 2021.
This fund will go live in January.
Meanwhile, the Museums Recovery and Resilience Fund will receive an extra £3.1 million to meet demand. This funding will help secure the future of Scottish independent museums put at risk by the pandemic and protect the vital role they play in communities.
This funding is part of the £185 million package of targeted COVID-19 support announced by the Scottish Government earlier this month.
Ms Hyslop said: “Culture and heritage are vitally important to all of our lives in Scotland, at this time more than ever.
“This additional funding for grassroots music venues and independent museums will build on previous support provided to reach as many people as possible. I do believe these funds will make a marked difference in ensuring our culture and heritage sectors survive the pandemic.
“We will continue to listen to the needs of the sector and do everything within our powers to support them through this crisis.”
Beverley Whitrick, Strategic Director at Music Venue Trust said: “We have worked closely with the Scottish Government on the funding required to sustain grassroots music venues across Scotland.
“We are delighted that further support is forthcoming to secure these vital cultural spaces through until the spring.”
JP McGivney at Bridge Street Social, Aberdeen, said: “The first round for funding for Grassroots Music Venues was essential for us, and it was targeted to last only a short time.
“As restrictions have not eased, it became clear we would need further support to prevent permanent closure, so news of a second phase of this fund is very welcome.”
A new app for health and care home staff carrying out coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations will provide rapid access to relevant patient information and collect data on how many people have received the vaccination.
The ‘Vaccination Management Tool’ was developed in response to the pandemic and, because it functions on PCs, tablets and iphones, can be used in any setting where the vaccine is being administered.
The tool means vaccinators can immediately see whether it is an individual’s first or second dose and which vaccine has been administered – which will be crucial as more become available.
It also means data can be sent to GP systems and, in time the information collected on the app will help demonstrate how effective each vaccine is by linking with testing data.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The development of this tool has been a significant collaborative effort involving both clinicians and technical staff and I would like to thank all those involved.
“Clearly we welcome anything which simplifies the process for vaccinators and having this app which can be used wherever they are working will be invaluable, allowing them to quickly access all relevant information on site.”
NHS Education for Scotland Chief Executive Stewart Irvine said: “Delivering a national vaccine programme is a huge undertaking.
“We are trying to make things as easy to use as possible for the staff who have to manage these large numbers of people. That’s in terms of planning their workflows, being able to work flexibly in all kinds of locations, and in providing a steady stream of data to help national planners.
“With tools like these, we are building integrated systems which remove additional burdens from hard-pressed health and care staff – allowing them to do what they do best.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde trialled the app for the winter flu programme. Immunisation Programme Manager Scott Hanley said: “We’re pleased to have helped test and feed-back on the app. Having all the individual’s information in one place and not having to use paper saved so much time for our staff.
“The fact that it is web-based also gives much more flexibility in who can use it – which gives us greater flexibility. And using a mobile tablet will help ensure patients are processed quicker on arrival at sites and will reduce the possibility of queues building up.”
The Vaccine Management Tool was developed by NHS Education for Scotland in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS Fife, NHS National Services Scotland and Public Health Scotland.
It was piloted in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lothian to assist with the winter flu vaccination programme and is now being used across Scotland to assist with the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
If you’re feeling a little low this winter, catching up with a pal outdoors can help to lift your spirits.
Restrictions tightened due to spread of new variant of COVID-19.
Scotland will significantly tighten protections against Coronavirus (COVID-19) to prevent the spread of the new, highly contagious strain of the virus.
Following confirmation that the new variant of COVID-19 spreads substantially more quickly, the First Minister announced that Scotland needs to act now.
To keep people safe, the First Minister announced:
the planned easing of restrictions around Christmas will be limited to Christmas Day itself, and not the previous 5 day window that was planned
legal household limits will still apply – a maximum of 8 people from 3 households – however advice is to minimise the numbers. Where possible, people should celebrate the festive period at home in their own household and meet with others outdoors
other than for specific exemptions, travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK will not be legal
travel within Scotland will be allowed on Christmas Day
from Boxing Day, all of Scotland will have Level 4 restrictions applied, including the closure of non-essential retail and hospitality. The only exceptions will be Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, and the other island communities where restrictions have been reduced in recent weeks, who will be placed in Level 3
from Boxing Day, in line with existing law, travel across local authority boundaries between areas in Level 3 or 4 will not be legal other than for specific exempt purposes
The First Minister also set out new plans for the return of schools in the New Year. Teachers will return to work as planned and children of key workers and the most vulnerable children, will return to schools as planned.
For the majority of pupils the holiday period will be extended until 11 January and learning will begin online from then until at least 18 January.
All these measures will be kept under regular review.
The First Minister said: “Last week it was confirmed that a new variant of the virus had been identified in the UK, and I advised Parliament that a small number of cases of it had already been identified in Scotland.
“While further analysis is required to establish this one way or another, we already have a concern that this strain may be driving what appears to be faster transmission in some hospitals and care homes.
“That’s why we have decided to act and to act firmly.
“Firstly, we are asking everyone to redouble your personal efforts in sticking to the rules and following FACTS.
“Secondly, we intend to maintain a strict travel ban between Scotland and the rest of the UK. This will remain in place throughout the festive period. We simply cannot risk more of this strain entering the country if we can possibly avoid it.
“Thirdly, we now intend to change the law to allow mixing indoors in a bubble on Christmas Day only. The household limits will still apply – a maximum of 8 people from 3 households – is the law. But the advice will be to minimise numbers as far as possible.
“My message is stay home, stay safe and enjoy Christmas. That is in your own interest and the interest of everyone you love.”
First Minister @NicolaSturgeon has announced Scotland will significantly tighten protections against Coronavirus to prevent the spread of the new, highly contagious strain of the virus.
Speaking about beyond Christmas, the First Minister said: “To limit, as far as we can, the risk of this strain spreading further than it has within Scotland, we intend to apply Level 4 measures to all of mainland Scotland for a period of three weeks from one minute after midnight on Boxing Day morning.
“The only exceptions will be Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, and the other island communities where we have reduced restrictions in recent weeks, who will go into Level 3 but with strict restrictions on who can travel to and from those islands.
“The situation the new strain presents means that until we are sure it is firmly under control – until we are sure we are not facing the same situation as the south of England today faces, we must slightly change our plans for the way our schools work.
“Schools still open next week will close as planned – we are not changing that. They were then due to reopen from 5 January with all councils areas back by the 7.
“Instead of that, here is what we are going to do – for the children of key workers – such as nurses in our hospitals – schools will open and stay open as normal. They will also open as normal for the most vulnerable children.
“All teachers will also return to work as scheduled and planned. For the majority of pupils, however, the holidays are being extended until 11 January. Starting on that date, learning will be online until at least 18 January.
“After that, assuming we are confident we have the virus under control we will aim to reopen schools more fully but at least until then, schools will go online only other than for the children of key workers and the most vulnerable.”
Following the First Minister’s statement, confirming a three week Tier 4 lockdown in Scotland from Boxing Day, Rhea Wolfson of the GMB Scotland Women’s Campaigns Unit said:“The Scottish Government can’t wait until mid-January to roll out workplace testing for home carers – they need to find a way to bring this forward immediately.
“We can’t have 14,000 home carers in Scotland, supported only with PPE, working through a lockdown prompted by a more transmissible strain of COVID-19.
“Failure to act now to protect these key workers and their service users would be an exacerbation of the negligence they have already endured.”
EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The EIS welcomes the decision to delay the return of pupils after the Christmas break until January 11th and that for the vast majority of pupils for this return to be to an online platform, with only the children of key workers and vulnerable children being in school.
“With a large number of schools already closed for the break, this late decision will once again create planning challenges for teachers but schools are much better prepared for remote learning than was the case in March. Given that the EIS has been calling for a ‘firebreak’ around the Christmas break, we view this announcement as being the correct one.
“It would make sense for those schools which are still open to move immediately to remote platforms.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had earlier given a statement at the coronavirus press conference:
Good afternoon, I am sorry to report that the situation has deteriorated since I last spoke to you three days ago.
Yesterday afternoon, I was briefed on the latest data showing the virus spreading more rapidly in London, the South East and the East of England than would be expected given the tough restrictions which are already in place.
I also received an explanation for why the virus is spreading more rapidly in these areas. It appears this spread is now being driven by the new variant of the virus, which we first learned about earlier this week.
Our advisory group on New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats – NERVTAG – has spent the last few days analysing the new variant.
There is no evidence the variant causes more severe illness or higher mortality, but it does appear to be passed on significantly more easily.
NERVTAG’s early analysis suggests the new variant could increase R by 0.4 or greater. Although there is considerable uncertainty, it may be up to 70% more transmissible than the old variant.
This is early data. It is subject to review. It is the best we have at the moment, and we have to act on information as we have it because this is now spreading very fast.
The U.K. has by far the best genomic sequencing ability in the world, which means we are better able to identify new strains like this than any other country.
The Chief Medical Officer last night submitted our findings so far to the World Health Organisation and we will continue to be totally transparent with our global partners.
There is still much we don’t know. While we are fairly certain the variant is transmitted more quickly, there is no evidence to suggest that it is more lethal or causes more severe illness. Equally there is no evidence to suggest the vaccine will be any less effective against the new variant.
Our experts will continue their work to improve our understanding of the variant.
So we are learning more about this variant as we go.
But we know enough already to be sure that we must act now.
I met ministers on the Covid Operations Committee last night and again first thing this morning, and Cabinet met at lunchtime to agree the following actions.
First, we will introduce new restrictions in the most affected areas – specifically those parts of London, the South East and the East of England which are currently in tier 3.
These areas will enter a new tier 4, which will be broadly equivalent to the national restrictions which were in place in England in November.
That means:
Residents in those areas must stay at home, apart from limited exemptions set out in law. Non-essential retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities, and personal care services must close.
People must work from home if they can, but may travel to work if this is not possible, for example in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
People should not enter or leave tier 4 areas, and tier 4 residents must not stay overnight away from home. Individuals can only meet one person from another household in an outdoor public space.
Unlike the November national restrictions, communal worship can continue to take place in tier 4 areas.
These measures will take effect from tomorrow morning.
All tiers will continue to be regularly reviewed in line with the approach previously set out, with the next formal review point taking place on 30 December.
Second, we are issuing new advice on travel.
Although the new variant is concentrated in tier 4 areas, it is nonetheless present at lower levels around the country.
We are asking everyone, in all tiers, to stay local.
People should carefully consider whether they need to travel abroad and follow the rules in their tier.
Those in tier 4 areas will not be permitted to travel abroad apart from limited exceptions, such as for work purposes.
Third, we must, I am afraid, look again at Christmas.
As Prime Minister, it is my duty to take the difficult decisions, to do what is right to protect the people of this country.
Given the early evidence we have on this new variant of the virus, and the potential risk it poses, it is with a heavy heart that I must tell you we cannot continue with Christmas as planned.
In England, those living in tier 4 areas should not mix with anyone outside their own household at Christmas, though support bubbles will remain in place for those at particular risk of loneliness or isolation.
Across the rest of the country, the Christmas rules allowing up to three households to meet will now be limited to Christmas Day only, rather than the five days as previously set out.
As before, there will be no relaxation on 31 December, so people must not break the rules at New Year.
I know how much emotion people invest in this time of year, and how important it is for grandparents to see their grandchildren, and for families to be together.
So I know how disappointing this will be, but we have said throughout this pandemic that we must and we will be guided by the science.
When the science changes, we must change our response.
When the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defence.
As your Prime Minister, I sincerely believe there is no alternative open to me. Without action, the evidence suggests infections would soar, hospitals would become overwhelmed and many thousands more would lose their lives.
I want to stress we are not alone in this fight – many of our European friends and neighbours are being forced to take similar action.
We are working closely with the devolved administrations to protect people in every part of the UK.
Of course there is now hope – real hope – that we will soon be rid of this virus.
That prospect is growing with every day that passes and every vaccine dose administered.
The UK was the first country in the western world to start using a clinically approve vaccine.
So please, if the NHS contacts you then get your vaccine – and join the 350,000 people across the UK who have already had their first dose.
Yes, Christmas this year will be very different, but we must be realistic. We are sacrificing our chance to see loved ones this Christmas, so we have a better chance of protecting their lives so we can see them at future Christmases.
As sure as night follows day, we will beat back this virus.
