Summary

  • For the second day running there are no new deaths registered in Scotland

  • Nicola Sturgeon says if progress continues she is "optimistic" that on 18 June Phase 2 of lifting restrictions can begin - at least in part

  • However, people who have been shielding since March are being asked to continue doing so until 31 July

  • They will not be able to meet other households although they will be able to exercise outdoors from 18 June onwards

  • From today anyone entering Scotland from abroad must quarantine themselves for 14-days or face a £480 fine

  • Scotland sees the smallest rebound in output of any area in the UK as lockdown eases

  1. Goodbyepublished at 19:38 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    That's all from our live coverage tonight. Join us again tomorrow morning and throughout the day for the latest developments on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting Scotland.

  2. Today's key developmentspublished at 19:31 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    1. For the second day running there were no new deaths registered in Scotland
    2. Nicola Sturgeon says if progress continues she is "optimistic" that on 18 June Phase 2 of lifting restrictions can begin - at least in part
    3. People who have been shielding since March are being asked to continue doing so until 31 July
    4. They will not be able to meet other households although they will be able to exercise outdoors from 18 June onwards
    5. From today anyone entering Scotland from abroad must quarantine themselves for 14-days or face a £480 fine
    6. Scotland sees the smallest rebound in output of any area in the UK as lockdown eases
  3. Drop in UK deaths shows progress - but challenges remainpublished at 19:21 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Nick Triggle
    Health Correspondent

    The UK has recorded its lowest daily rise in the number of coronavirus deaths (55) since before lockdown on 23 March.

    The welcome drop in deaths is encouraging news.

    But it comes with a big caveat - the deaths cover the weekend and there are always delays recording fatalities on Saturdays and Sundays.

    This time last week there were just over 100 new deaths announced, but then later in the week they topped 300.

    Nonetheless, the figures do show the progress being made.

    Two weeks ago there were more than 120 deaths and the week before that 160. During the peak, more than 1,000 deaths a day were seen.

    The challenge now will be making sure the figures stay low as restrictions are eased.

  4. Thousands more sets of scrubs for NHS Tayside staffpublished at 19:09 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Staff in scrubsImage source, NHS Tayside

    Almost 6,000 sets of scrubs have been delivered for frontline staff as a result of a project between NHS Tayside, local industry, Dundee University and community volunteers.

    NHS Tayside asked all patient-facing staff who usually wear their own clothes, such as doctors and consultants, to move to using scrubs in order to minimise the current increased risk of infection and cross-contamination.

    About 5,000 pairs of scrubs were required to supplement the 6,500 previously in use across Tayside. This increase in demand was mirrored across the UK, leading to a national shortage of scrubs.

    To ensure that enough sets of scrubs could be sourced, NHS Tayside worked with local textile company Halley Stevensons to produce large volumes of fabric at its Dundee-based factory in a bespoke colour called Tayside Teal.

    This fabric was used to produce 4,000 pairs of scrubs.

    NHS Tayside also received more than 700 additional sets made by professionals from the fashion, theatre and costume industries and local sewers.

  5. FM announces shielding to continue at least until end Julypublished at 18:59 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  6. Lockdowns in Europe 'saved millions of lives'published at 18:47 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    James Gallagher
    Health and science correspondent, BBC News

    Central Edinburgh was very quiet in the early days of lockdownImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Central Edinburgh was very quiet in the first few weeks of lockdown

    Lockdowns have saved more than three million lives from coronavirus in Europe, a study estimates.

    The team at Imperial College London said the "death toll would have been huge" without lockdown.

    But they warned that only a small proportion of people had been infected and we were still only "at the beginning of the pandemic".

    Read more

  7. Coronavirus: Evening updatepublished at 18:38 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Coronavirus update logo

    Five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this evening.

    Coronavirus: Evening update

    Five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this evening.

    Read More
  8. Council details plans to allow 2,500 pupils to return to schoolpublished at 18:30 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Jamie McIvor
    BBC Scotland education correspondent

    SchoolchildrenImage source, Getty Images

    A council which will allow some children to return to school next Monday has given more details of its plans.

    East Renfrewshire says about 2,500 children could be in school at some point before the holidays.

    The scheme is designed to help children starting Primary 1 or the first year of secondary school in August.

    The pupils will be in small groups and attendance is at the discretion of parents, who will be contacted with the details.

    Those eligible amount to less than 15% of the council's school roll which includes 1,193 due to start Primary 1 and 1,391 currently in P7.

    A council spokeswoman said: "The groups will be split up across a range of days to ensure the number of people in our buildings at any one time remains extremely low and allows all social distancing measures to be adhered to."

  9. 'Every day has been tougher and tougher'published at 18:21 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Drivetime with John Beattie
    BBC Radio Scotland

    The shielding of those who are most at risk if they become infected with Covid-19 should continue until 31 July, the first minister has said.

    Sanjeev Mann is currently shielding and tells Drivetime it was hard news to hear.

    "Every day has been tougher and tougher," he says, adding that seeing restrictions changed for others led to hope there would be change for shielded people too.

    Corrine Hutton, who is on immunosuppressants, adds: "It's really, really hit me hard."

    She says she is particularly concerned about her son, who will finish home schooling in a few weeks. She says he has to shield because of her condition and by the time 31 July comes around, it won't be long before he returns to school.

    "It means he can't go kick about with his pals the whole summer. I'm feeling for others, I'm feeling for him, I'm feeling like he's penalised because of me," she says.

  10. 'Social distancing remains key to keep infection rate dropping'published at 18:10 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Drivetime with John Beattie
    BBC Radio Scotland

    There have been no new registered deaths to coronavirus in Scotland for two days running.

    The first minister said the news was "obviously very encouraging" but warned it was "highly likely" that more deaths would be registered in the coming days.

    "In the worst-case scenario, there may have been a low number of unregistered deaths over the weekend," explains Dr Poppy Lamberton, a global public health specialist at the University of Glasgow.

    "It is linked with infections and it appears that number is going down, so that is really good news."

    Dr Lamberton tells BBC Radio Scotland that it is vital that anyone with symptoms get tested early, adding that scientists are gaining information on how many people are carrying the virus in the community.

    "We think people who are asymptomatic can contribute to transmission but they don't contribute a huge amount, but people who have yet to develop symptoms are likely to be transmitting before showing any signs of illness," she says. "That's why it's important to maintain social distancing and that's where tracing becomes key."

  11. Scottish government daily briefing: Key pointspublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post

    Nicola Sturgeon is "optimistic" that Scotland's coronavirus restrictions could be eased further on 18 June after a second day with no recorded deaths.

    Read more here

    The first minister also confirmed that "shielding" of those most at risk from the virus would continue until the end of July.

    Read more here.

    The other key points from today's briefing were:

    • From 18 June those shielding expected to be able to exercise outside - to be confirmed on 17 June
    • Sturgeon ‘deeply regrets’ administrative error on shielding letters
    • FM labels Scottish Tory calls for health secretary to resign ‘disgraceful’
    • The second day in a row of zero deaths from the virus means the total number of deaths remains at 2,315
    • However the FM urges caution over these weekend statistics
  12. Jet2 announcement an indicator of quarantine policypublished at 17:50 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Drivetime with John Beattie
    BBC Radio Scotland

    Jet2Image source, bbc

    Jet2 has postponed its business restart date by two weeks.

    The airline had previously hoped to recommence flights from the start of next month but has pushed this back to 15 July.

    Customers with flights before this date are being contacted.

    The Independent's travel editor Simon Calder told Drivetime this could be a sign of what to expect from the UK government on its quarantine plans.

    New rules requiring all people arriving in the UK to self-isolate for 14 days came into effect today.

    Mr Calder said the government has doubled down on the policy and he suspects Jet2's decision would have been informed by this.

  13. Hancock: R below 1 in all parts of UKpublished at 17:45 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  14. NHS Highland discharged five patients to Skye care homepublished at 17:36 British Summer Time 8 June 2020
    Breaking

    Home Farm care home

    Five hospital patients were discharged without being tested for coronavirus to a Skye care home where there was later an outbreak.

    NHS Highland sent the patients to Home Farm Care Home in Portree in late March - before routine testing for the virus was introduced.

    Ten residents of the care home are known to have died in the outbreak.

    NHS Highland said testing was carried out in line with national guidance but it could not comment on specific cases.

    A spokesman added that it advised a fortnight's isolation as a precaution for any patient discharged from hospital to a care home.

    He added: "As soon as Covid-19 is identified in a care home setting the home is immediately closed to new admissions.

    "The last admission to Home Farm was in late March.The home confirmed Covid-19 at the end of April and an outbreak was declared at the beginning of May."

  15. Your questions about holidays answeredpublished at 17:29 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  16. Quarantine rules 'devastating' for UK tourismpublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Drivetime with John Beattie
    BBC Radio Scotland

    Women in mask at airportImage source, Getty Images

    New rules requiring all people arriving in the UK to self-isolate for 14 days have come into effect.

    Those arriving by plane, ferry or train - including UK nationals - must give an address where they will self-isolate.

    Rule breakers will be fined.

    However, anyone arriving from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man does not have to complete a form or enter quarantine. There are also exemptions for a long list of key workers.

    Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, said: "It's going to stop people going away this summer and have a devastating impact on the UK tourism industry."

    Mr Alderslade is imploring the government to establish "air bridges" with other nations, where reciprocal agreements would waive the requirement to self-isolate.

  17. Nicola Sturgeon 'optimistic' about easing lockdown rules furtherpublished at 17:20 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Media caption,

    Sturgeon is "optimistic" that coronavirus restrictions could be eased further on 18 June

    Nicola Sturgeon is "optimistic" that Scotland's coronavirus restrictions could be eased further on 18 June after a second day with no recorded deaths.

    The first minister said the continuing "steady decline" in the death rate was "obviously very encouraging".

    However, she warned it was "highly likely" that more deaths would be registered in the coming days.

    And she confirmed that "shielding" of those most at risk from the virus would continue until the end of July.

    Read more here.

  18. Tourism firms could fail in two months warns hotel grouppublished at 17:13 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Drivetime with John Beattie
    BBC Radio Scotland

    Crieff HydroImage source, Google

    Many tourism businesses will fail with in the next two months if they cannot reopen soon, the owner of a chain of Scottish hotels has warned.

    The Crieff Hydro group has given notice that 241 staff face redundancy at the start of August.

    Proprietor Stephen Leckie suggested a third of people employed by the sector could be at risk, but that many places could open within ten days.

    He said: "If we open too late, summer time is gone, we're finished. A lot more businesses will just fold and they'll never reopen."

    Mr Leckie also said many of the larger businesses have not been eligible for government support. He urged the government to provide a timescale for the sector and advice on what PPE would be needed.

  19. Postpublished at 17:12 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  20. UK daily deaths drop to pre-lockdown levelpublished at 17:06 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    The UK daily briefing has just begun led by Matt HancockImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    The UK daily briefing has just begun led by Matt Hancock

    The UK has recorded its lowest daily rise in the number of coronavirus deaths (55) since before lockdown on 23 March.

    A further 55 people died after testing positive with the virus as of 17:00 BST on Sunday, taking the total to 40,597.

    This included no new deaths announced in both Scotland and Northern Ireland for the second consecutive day.

    However, there tends to be fewer deaths reported on Mondays, due to a reporting lag over the weekend.

    Read more here., external

    The UK government briefing has just begun led by Matt Hancock.

    You can follow live updates here.