11 councils move to level 4published at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020Breaking
11 local authorities will from 6pm on Friday, for a strictly limited period, move from level 3 to level 4.
Summary
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirms that 11 local authorities - mostly in the west of Scotland - will move to the toughest of restrictions from 6pm on Friday
The councils are - Glasgow City; Renfrewshire; East Renfrewshire; East Dunbartonshire; West Dunbartonshire; South Lanarkshire; North Lanarkshire; Stirling; East and South Ayrshire and West Lothian
For some 2.279 million residents that means they will see all non-essential shops will be closed, along with gyms, libraries and hairdressers
However, unlike the March lockdown, schools and universities will remain open
There is better news for Midlothian and East Lothian which will move from level three to level two from next Tuesday
In the past 24 hours 1,248 people tested positive; 1,249 patients are in hospital with a confirmed case (up 22) and of those 95 are in ICU (down three). Registered deaths have risen by 37
11 councils move to level 4published at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
19 councils will see no change to levelspublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
BreakingThe first minister says 19 council areas - the majority - will see no change to their levels this week.
37 further deaths with Covid-19published at 14:22 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
BreakingNicola Sturgeon confirms a further 1,248 people have tested positive for Covid-19. That is 9.7% of the total number of tests carried out.
This takes the total number of positive cases in Scotland to 83,259.
1,249 patients are in hospital with a confirmed case (up 22), with 95 being treated in intensive care (down three).
A further 37 people who tested positive have died, taking the total to 3,323 deaths in Scotland by that measure.
And we're off...published at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
Nicola Sturgeon gets to her feet to begin her statement.
The cabinet met this morning to review the Covid restriction levels across Scotland.
The first minister's statement is next...published at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Nicola Sturgeon will begin her statement around 2.20pm
Nicola Sturgeon will now announce the review of Covid restrictions agreed at the cabinet meeting this morning.
Ms Sturgeon said on Monday it was "likely" that some areas would be moved from level three to level four.
This could include the six councils in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area, including Glasgow itself.
There has also been speculation that both North and South Lanarkshire could be moved to the highest tier.
Covid in Scotland: Restrictions, guidance and advicepublished at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
1. COVID-19 protection levels: the five-level system has been introduced to help tackle the spread of the virus. Find out more: protection levels, external.
2. Download the Protect Scotland app, external from NHS Scotland
If you have Covid-19 symptoms go immediately to NHS Inform online or phone 0800 028 2816 to book a test
The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing, face covering and stay at home advice.
5. The ready.scot, external website has been updated with the latest help and advice and the helpline number remains: 0800 111 4000
It's ok to not feel yourself right now, and the Scottish government has some great tips to help get you through these difficult times.
7. BBC Scotland articles:
Could 11 councils be put into level 4?published at 14:08 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
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End of twitter postCovid in Scotland: The headlinespublished at 14:04 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
Image source, PA Media- The first minister is to announce whether the toughest Covid restrictions are to be imposed in the west of Scotland
- Ms Sturgeon said on Monday it was "likely" that some areas would be moved from level three to level four
- This could include the six councils in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area, including Glasgow itself
- Both North and South Lanarkshire could also be moved to the highest level
- Rising numbers of cases have previously been highlighted in Stirling and in both East and South Ayrshire, which are all currently in level three
- The first minister will make the announcement from about 14:20 this afternoon, with any new rules coming into force from Friday
- The Royal College of Psychiatrists has warned that about a third of adults are struggling with their mental health, and are now displaying serious symptoms that could characterise a psychiatric illness
- A mother-of-two has described the mental health toll of fighting anorexia in the time of Covid
- The Scottish Parliament elections in May could be spread over several days with different age groups voting on separate dates as a Covid-19 safety measure
- Dozens of jobs have been lost after a prominent hotel on the outskirts of Aberdeen went into liquidation
Level 4 rules: Hair and beautypublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
Image source, Getty Images- Services which involve "close contact" cannot operate - these include hairdressers, barbers, hair removal and massage therapies.
- They also include dress-fitting, tattoo and piercing and indoor portrait photography.
If you want to read more about the level four rules, click here, external.
Level 4 rules: Places of worshippublished at 13:58 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
Image source, Getty Images- Churches, mosques, temples and synagogues can remain open - subject to two metre distancing and a maximum of 20 worshippers.
- Wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships, with a maximum of 15 people (including the couple) are allowed.
- However, receptions cannot follow a ceremony. Funerals and wakes can take place with a maximum capacity of 20 guests.
There's more on the rules here, external.
Level 4 rules: Sport, leisure & entertainmentpublished at 13:54 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
Image source, Getty Images- Indoor sports facilities, including gyms, have to close.
- You are permitted to meet others outdoors for informal exercise or sport and outdoor gyms can remain open.
- Outdoor non-contact sports are permitted for all age groups.
- All leisure and entertainment premises, including cinemas, must be closed.
- Film and TV production can continue to take place.
- All public buildings such as libraries have to close, however, library click and collect services can still operate.
If you want to read Scottish government's level four rules, click here, external.
Schools expected to remain open at level 4published at 13:49 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
Jamie McIvor
BBC Scotland education correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesIf the west of Scotland moves to level four restrictions, it’s expected that schools will remain open.
The structure set out by the Scottish government last month set that out.
Individual schools could, of course, still be closed temporarily because of specific concerns.
However the largest teachers' union, the EIS, wants discussions about blended learning in any areas that move to level four. This means pupils would be in part time and also learn at home or online.
The union is warning of possible industrial action.
However, the government sees keeping schools open as one of its top priorities.
It could be difficult to reconcile the views of those who want schools to remain open with those who believe blended learning may be necessary.
Level 4 rules: Educationpublished at 13:45 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
Image source, AFP- Schools, colleges and universities can remain open.
- Early learning and childcare can continue to operate.
- However, informal childcare is only allowed for anyone employed in essential or permitted services.
Read the Scottish government's level four rules here, external.
Level 4 restrictions will have 'severe' impact on retailpublished at 13:40 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
Image source, Getty ImagesThe trade association for retailers has warned tougher restrictions will have a "severe" impact on business.
The Scottish Retail Consortium's David Lonsdale said: "The scientific evidence indicates retail is a safe environment and closing stores will do little to suppress the virus.
Quote Message"However, the economic impacts of forced closure during the Christmas trading period are severe, which is why it should only be a last resort."
David Lonsdale, Scottish Retail Consortium
Can businesses survive until next year?published at 13:34 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
Lunchtime Live
BBC Radio Scotland
Image source, GoogleIn just under an hour, Nicola Sturgeon will announce whether the toughest Covid restrictions will be imposed in the west of Scotland.
Mario Gizzi, who owns the DiMaggio's pizza restaurant in Glasgow city centre, tells Radio Scotland he is very concerned that businesses won't survive:
Quote MessageWe have to look at what affect [Covid] is having on the businesses themselves. Because saving jobs is one thing, but if the businesses don't survive through to next year we have an even bigger problem."
Mario Gizzi, DiMaggio's owner
'There couldn't be a worse time of the year to go into lockdown'published at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
Lunchtime Live
BBC Radio Scotland
Image source, GoogleNicola Sturgeon will announce this afternoon whether the toughest Covid restrictions are to be imposed in the west of Scotland.
The first minister has already said it's "likely" some areas will be moved from level three to level four.
Fiona Fabian, who owns the Papyrus gift shop in Glasgow's West End told BBC Radio Scotland the timing couldn't be worse:
Quote MessageIt's pretty disastrous actually. We do 20% of our annual turnover in the four weeks before Christmas. So to put it in context that's about the same amount of turnover that we would have taken for the whole of the first lockdown. So we really depend on our Christmas trading for our profitability."
Fiona Fabian, Papyrus gift shop owner
Level 4: Rules for hospitality and shoppingpublished at 13:19 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
Pubs, cafes & holiday accommodation
Image source, Getty Images- Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars will be closed.
- Takeaways can operate as normal with face coverings and physical distancing rules being followed.
- Hotels and other accommodation providers can serve food up to 22:00 to guests. Room service, including alcohol, is allowed.
- All holiday accommodation is closed to tourists. Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering can remain open for essential customers - for example anyone who is staying for essential work purposes.
Supermarkets, clothes shops & markets
- Only essential retail can open providing they follow and have implemented Scottish government guidance.
- Click and collect, online services and outdoor retail - such as garden centres, outdoor markets and car lots - can also remain open.
What you can do in a level 4 area...published at 13:16 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
The Scottish government is "considering closely" putting a number of councils in the west of Scotland into the toughest tier of restrictions.
So, if you find yourself in level four what will you be permitted to do and not do?
Busy business page today...published at 13:12 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
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End of twitter post40% of Scots think pandemic will damage their mental healthpublished at 13:09 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2020
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