New tiered strategic framework for tackling Covid-19 to be introduced

• Nicola Sturgeon has warned that Scotland will not "return to normal" when temporary restrictions are due to expire on 26 October
• The temporary restrictions are due to be replaced with a more strategic approach to managing the pandemic, says the first minister
• A £20m grant fund to be administered by local authorities will open for applications on Tuesday
• The Scottish government is to introduce a multi-tier system of alert levels, similar to that now in force in England
• It will include more support for those self-isolating, those on low incomes and a new testing strategy
• The Scottish government is also considering a Wales-style travel ban

Face coverings regulations

• Face coverings must be worn in workplace canteens when individuals are not seated at a table from Friday.
• From Monday, face coverings must be worn in other communal workplace areas, such as corridors
• Couples will NOT be required to wear face coverings during wedding or civil partnership ceremonies

Latest Covid-19 statistics in Scotland

• 1,351 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, 17.6% of those newly tested yesterday
• A further 13 people have died with Covid-19
• 601 patients are in hospital with a confirmed case (up 31), with 51 being treated in intensive care (up two)

Opposition party leaders

• Scottish Conservative group leader Ruth Davidson asks about the closure of hospital wards and further infection control measures, such as temperature testing on a ward-by-ward basis
• Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard accuses the first minister of ignoring scientific advice in terms of introducing a so-called circuit breaker
• Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie calls for more support for those self-isolating and more asymptomatic testing
• Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie highlights "dangerous delays" in Test and Protect system

That's all from the live page team today. Please take care and stay safe.

Scottish LIb Dem leader Willie Rennie says that, last week alone, 567 people waited ore than two days to get a call from Test and Protect.

He adds that it is "alarming" that the Scottish government is still "playing catch-up" seven months on from the start of the pandemic.

Mr Rennie asks: "When will these dangerous delays be eliminated?"

Ms Sturgeon says Test and Protect is "working incredibly well" but adds there is a "frustration" in relation to the time it takes from somebody being tested and the result of that test going into the case management system.

She says: "That turnaround time is not as quick as we want it to be.

"That is part of the UK government system and we are working with them to improve that."

Ms Sturgeon says almost 95% of contacts take place within 48 hours which, last week alone, amounted to almost 3,500 people.

The first minister adds that the restrictions that have been in place in the last few weeks in Scotland have been "the toughest in the UK."

Patrick Harvie welcomes the recognition that the new framework must give greater emphasis on support for those self-isolating.

The Scottish Greens co-leader says the September meeting of the nosocomial (diseases originating in a hospital) review group has already approved a new testing strategy for hospitals.

Mr Harvie asks why this decision was taken in advance of the review of the testing strategy and does the government accept routine weekly testing has a critical role to play.

"We've not reached final decisions on the review of the testing strategy," the first minister replies.

It is currently under way and Ms Sturgeon reiterates her pledge to listen to other party leaders on the issue early next week.

Symptomatic testing must be the priority but increasing asymptomatic testing is being looked at, she points out, adding that testing capacity is being substantially increased.

Regular visitors to care homes, for example, are under active consideration for being added to asymptomatic testing currently inside care homes, the first minister says.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard highlights minutes of the UK government's Sage meeting from 21 September which revealed "multiple circuit breakers" may be needed over the next six to nine months.

He says the meeting was also told that for measures to be successful they must be "consistent, without ambiguity or contradiction".

Despite this, Mr Leonard accuses the first minister of failing to engage with those most affected when she announced new restrictions last week - which resulted in "ambiguity and confusion".

He concludes: "Can the first minister explain to us why she ignored that scientific advice?"

Ms Sturgeon says her government "absolutely did not ignore the scientific advice from Sage" and acted to implement many of its recommendations.

She adds that Scotland was the first country in the UK to introduce a ban on household visiting and followed the scientific advice by also implementing "significant" restrictions on hospitality.

Scottish Conservative group leader Ruth Davidson asks the first minister about the closure of hospital wards in Edinburgh and Glasgow due to Covid outbreaks.

She asks if further infection control measures, such as temperature testing, are being considered on a ward-by-ward basis.

Ms Sturgeon says a number of steps are in place, such as restricted visiting.

She adds that certain of groups of people are tested going into hospital, including all over-70s and ICU admissions.

Ms Sturgeon says temperature checks will continue to be kept under review and any decisions will be made based on clinical advice.

The first minister says we must all act to stop this virus in its tracks.

This will help ourselves, our loved ones, the NHD and it will help to save lives, she stresses.

She calls on us all to abide by all of the rules.

As ever, the first minister ends on FACTS:

Image source, Scottish governrment

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister says she is acutely aware it can be hard to escape feelings of "despair and helplessness".

She encourages everyone to hold on to these "key truths":

• This pandemic will not last forever and it will pass
• We will soon talk about it in the past tense
• We are not alone, this is a global pandemic and other countries are doing the same as Scotland as they battle the virus
• Practical and emotional support is available for those struggling

"Let's all remember to be kinder to each other than we might normally be."

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister cannot rule out having to go further in the future in terms of restrictions.

Ms Sturgeon says the approach to travel being put forward by the Welsh government needs to be considered here too, and is being considered.

There will be extra patrols on main roads into Wales to enforce a travel ban from Covid hotspots, it's first minister Mark Drakeford has said.

Image source, Getty Images

The tiered approach to intervention will "clearly" be a central part of the new strategic framework, the FM says.

However, the framework will go beyond that and strengthen the effectiveness of measures currently in place to "strengthen our resilience to live with this virus for the period ahead", she adds.

This will include improved support for self-isolating and businesses required to close, as well as support for those on low incomes.

It will also include the review of the testing strategy.

The first minister stresses there will be a detailed briefing session with herself and opposition party leaders early next week.

Image source, Getty Images

Ms Sturgeon looks to the future and says last week's tough restrictions on hospitality expire on 26 October.

The first minister stresses that will not herald a return to complete normality, with the restrictions on household gatherings remaining in place until it is safe to ease them.

The temporary restrictions are due to be replaced with a more strategic approach to managing the pandemic, she adds.

There will be different tiers or levels of intervention set out in the future, with local and national applications depending on how the virus is spreading.

The new framework will be published and then debated by parliament.

The National Incident Management Team and clinical advisers will provide advice to government that informs their actions and what levels of intervention will apply to each part of the country when the temporary restrictions end on 26 October.

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister moves on to discuss support for business.

Ms Sturgeon points out the government is supporting businesses to the tune of £40m to help with the impact of the restrictions imposed last week.

That includes a £20m grant fund to be administered by local authorities and details will be published on the Scottish government website.

Council websites will be ready on Tuesday for applications and this will be open for two weeks.

Many businesses are having to take drastic action to help fight Covid so "it is essential that we take significant action to help them too".

Image source, Getty Images

Ms Sturgeon turns to new regulations on face coverings and says they will be laid today and come into force tomorrow:

1. The regulations will include exemptions for couples getting married at a wedding or during their civil partnership ceremony
2. The rules on face coverings in work canteens will be brought into line with restaurants and cafes - from tomorrow, everyone will have to wear a face covering when not seated at a table
3. From Monday, face coverings will have to be worn in other communal work areas like corridors. The responsibility lies with individuals but employers should help promote them

We are specifically asking people not to go on trips to Blackpool unless necessary, Ms Sturgeon says.

286 people who have reported recent travel there have tested positive in Scotland.

These restrictions are hard but essential, adds the first minister.

“We will keep the situation under review and propose further measures if we consider that necessary to keep people safe.”

1. Scottish government: Covid-19: What you can and cannot do, external

2. Scottish government's new restrictions, external

The challenge Scotland faces has also been set out in an evidence paper, external published by senior clinical advisors

3. Find out what the rules are in your area here

4. Download the Protect Scotland app, external from NHS Scotland

5. Test and Protect, external

If you have Covid-19 symptoms go immediately to NHS Inform online or phone 0800 028 2816 to book a test

6. NHS Inform, external

The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing, face covering and stay at home advice.

BBC Scotland articles:

• What are Scotland's new lockdown rules?

• Covid-19 in Scotland: Where are the latest cases?

• Check the Covid rules where you live

Image source, Getty Images

Nicola Sturgeon says: "This is a critical moment and our position is precarious."

That demands tough and unwelcome decisions from government, she adds.

"Each and every one of us" must act in a way that hinders the virus and prevents its spread.

"All of the existing Covid restrictions and guidance will remain in place for now," the first minister adds.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces face coverings must be worn in workplace canteens when individuals are not seated at a table from Friday.

From Monday, face coverings must be worn in other communal workplace areas, such as corridors.

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister points out the average daily number of new cases has risen to 1,178, with the numbers of people in hospital and ICU also rising.

Ms Sturgeon says we are in a stronger position than in March, with infection levels still lower and cases rising less quickly.

"Test and Protect is taking a lot of the strain of controlling the virus."

Quick action was taken to restrict household gatherings three weeks ago and to restrict hospitality last week, she adds.