Summary

  • The police will be given enhanced powers to break up house parties. These new powers will come into force on Friday, 28 August

  • Nicola Sturgeon says that she will allow gyms and swimming pools to open from 31 August

  • The first minister adds that that is an indicative date and it could change if the virus flares up

  • However, Ms Sturgeon says that non-essential office working will not be allowed as it "presents too great a risk at this time"

  • The 77 new positive cases that have been recorded represents the highest daily number for three months

  • The Scottish government is legally bound to review restrictions every three weeks - Scotland is currently in Phase 3 of lockdown

  • Opposition parties press Ms Sturgeon on how her government handled the spread of coronavirus in care homes

  1. Sturgeon confirms 12 new case in Grampianpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

    Nicola Sturgeon

    There were 12 new cases in Grampian yesterday.

    The first minister says there is evidence the numbers linked to the Aberdeen pubs cluster is coming under control, but new cases not linked are emerging.

    Because of that restrictions are being kept in place in Aberdeen but will be reviewed on Sunday, she adds.

  2. Several cases linked to schools, says FMpublished at 12:44 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

    The first minister says there are several cases linked to schools and we will bring you details of these after the announcement on lockdown measures.

    • eight adults at Kingspark School in Dundee have tested positive and the school is closed
    • the North East Glasgow cluster now stands at 16, with separate but linked cluster of nine cases in Coatbridge
    • a number of these cases are school children but there is no evidence that they contracted the virus in school
    • contact tracing is being carried out at a number of other schools in Glasgow
  3. WATCH AGAIN: Gyms, pools and indoor sports courts to reopenpublished at 12:43 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

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  4. Further restrictions to be considered for Coupar Angus outbreakpublished at 12:39 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

    The first minister says there are major cluster in Aberdeen and smaller clusters across the country.

    Ms Sturgeon also points to the significant cluster in Coupar Angus linked to a 2 Sisters food processing plant - 27 of today's cases are in the Tayside health board area.

    She says a total of 42 cases have been identified as part of the Coupar Angus outbreak which will almost certainly grow.

    The first minister adds that the government is considering whether further restrictions are needed to tackle this cluster.

  5. FM describes Coupar Angus cluster as 'significant'published at 12:36 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

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  6. WATCH AGAIN: FM issues lockdown updatepublished at 12:35 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

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  7. R number could be above one in Scotlandpublished at 12:33 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

    Ms Sturgeon says incidents and prevalence of the virus have been low in Scotland as a whole.

    The R number range has increased and the most recent estimate is that it could be above one, she warns.

    When prevalence is low, localised outbreaks have a bigger impact on the R number, she explains.

    There are now 52 new cases a day on average, up from an average of 14 a day on average.

  8. FM says for now Scotland remains in Phase 3published at 12:32 British Summer Time 20 August 2020
    Breaking

    Ms Sturgeon turns to the review of lockdown restrictions.

    "I am not able to indicate today a move from Phase 3 of our lockdown to Phase 4.

    "We will remain for now in Phase 3 and I will give notice today that this may well be the case for the next review point too."

    To move to Phase 4 the virus must be considered not a risk to public health.

  9. Scotland staying in phase three for nowpublished at 12:27 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

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  10. 77 new cases - highest number for nearly three monthspublished at 12:27 British Summer Time 20 August 2020
    Breaking

    First though Ms Sturgeon confirms 19,534 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, an increase of 77 from yesterday.

    That’s 1% of those that were newly tested yesterday.

    "This is the highest number of new cases in almost three months which underlines the need for continued caution," she explains.

    249 patients are in hospital with a confirmed case (up one), with two being treated in intensive care.

    No deaths were registered in the last 24 hours of people who tested positive, meaning the total remains at 2,492.

    However, yesterday's NRS figures showed three deaths linked to Covid over the previous week.

  11. The first minister begins...published at 12:25 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

    Nicola SturgeonImage source, bbc

    Nicola Sturgeon begins by reminding us that the Scottish government is required by law to review lockdown restrictions every three weeks.

    The first minister explains the latest review falls today and she will shortly update us on what will change.

  12. Sturgeon to announce review of lockdown measurespublished at 12:11 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

    Nicola SturgeonImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Nicola Sturgeon will make her statement in Holyrood from 12.20pm

    The first minister will shortly provide an update on the further easing of coronavirus measures, following the three weekly review of lockdown.

    Nicola Sturgeon says she hopes to announce further progress out of lockdown, but she warned the pace may be as fast as some would like.

    Scotland moved into Phase 3 of the government's routemap out of lockdown, external more than a month ago, but changes have been staggered.

    That approach is likely to continue today as ministers balance the emergence of a number of clusters of the virus with the easing of restrictions.

    Monday 24 August was given as an indicative date for the reopening of bingo halls, bowling alleys, and funfairs, and the restarting of outdoor contact sports and driving lessons.

    There may also be further news on changes pencilled in for mid-September, including the return of theatres, gyms and swimming pools.

  13. Coronavirus in Scotland: The headlinespublished at 12:01 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

    If you're just joining us here are the headlines from the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland today:

    • Nicola Sturgeon will shortly update on the coronavirus restrictions in Scotland
    • The first minister hopes to announce further progress out of lockdown
    • However she has warned the pace may not be as fast as some would like
    Face maskImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Nicola Sturgeon will begin her statement in Holyrood at 12.20pm

  14. How has Covid-19 affected you?published at 12:00 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

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  15. Here's a reminder of the rules for meeting peoplepublished at 11:56 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

    CafeImage source, PA Media

    Up to eight people from a maximum of three different households can meet indoors - and can stay overnight as long as there is physical distancing between different households.

    People should stay two metres from people in other households, clean surfaces after touching them, and wash their hands regularly.

    Up to 15 people from five different households can meet outdoors, while also following the 2m distancing rules.

    Adults are being advised not to meet people from any more than four different households in one day - but there is no limit for those aged under 18.

    People who are part of a non-cohabiting couple no longer need to stay physically distant from each other, indoors or outdoors.

    Children aged under 12 no longer have to physically distance from other people, either indoors or outdoors.

    Since the start of phase two on 19 June, people who live on their own, or only with children under 18, have been able to form an extended household group.

    You can find out more at NHS Inform, external, including social distancing and face covering rules.

  16. Police Scotland use emergency powers 62,000 timespublished at 11:53 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

    In 94% of interactions, police were able to resolve issues without enforcement actionImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    In 94% of interactions, police were able to resolve issues without enforcement action

    Emergency coronavirus powers have been used by police in Scotland more than 62,000 times.

    Scotland's most senior police officer revealed the figures at the latest board meeting of the Scottish Police Authority.

    He said that in the vast majority of cases - 94% - no action was taken.

    However, the figures also showed people living in the most deprived areas were up to 12 times more likely to be given fines for flouting Covid restrictions.

    Read more here.

  17. When will gyms and swimming pools return?published at 11:49 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

    Gyms are currently scheduled to reopen on 14 SeptemberImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Gyms are currently scheduled to reopen on 14 September

    Gyms, swimming pools and indoor sports courts are set to reopen on 14 September.

    However, Ms Sturgeon said the decision would be reviewed today to see if the date could be brought forward.

    Indoor soft play centres are scheduled to reopen on 14 September, along with theatres and indoor live music venues.

    Sports stadia should also open on the same day for limited numbers of spectators, with physical distancing in place.

    There will be a further review before a decision is taken on when non-essential offices and call centres can resume operations. However, this will not be before 11 September.

  18. What are the next steps?published at 11:26 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

    Bingo halls should be able to open on 24 AugustImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Bingo halls should be able to open on 24 August

    The Scottish government has given a series of indicative dates for when the next changes could take place.

    It is hoped that on 24 August it will be possible to reopen bingo halls, amusement arcades, casinos, funfairs and snooker halls.

    Live events such as concerts and comedy could be allowed outdoors from the same date, with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene and restricted audience numbers.

    People of all ages should be able to take part in organised outdoor contact sports, and driving lessons will be allowed to resume.

  19. Which lockdown rules will change next - and when?published at 11:21 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

    SwimmingImage source, Getty Images

    At the end of July, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the next set of changes to the lockdown rules in Scotland, external.

    Shielding has been paused and pupils have now returned to school full time. Dentists are also allowed to provide more services. Gyms, swimming pools and indoor sports courts are due to reopen in September.

    So what are the rules - and what else is going to change? Find out more here.

    The first minister will update us on the latest lockdown changes to come this lunchtime - join us to watch her statement and for extensive reaction and reports.

    Nicola Sturgeon will get to her feet in Holyrood at 12.20pm ahead of first minister's questions.

  20. Good morningpublished at 08:58 British Summer Time 20 August 2020

    Nicola SturgeonImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Nicola Sturgeon will update us on further easing of lockdown measures this lunchtime

    Good morning and welcome to our live page coverage of the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland on Thursday 20 August.

    This lunchtime the first minister will provide an update on the further easing of coronavirus measures.

    Join us for extensive coverage with Nicola Sturgeon giving her statement from 12.20pm ahead of first minister's questions.