Covid in Scotland: Lockdown until 'at least' mid-February

Summary

Nicola Sturgeon says although there are "cautious grounds for optimism" on case numbers, lockdown measures will remain in place
People in mainland Scotland and some islands - which now includes Barra and Vatersay - will live under the strictest level four rules
Since December 26 only essential shops have been allowed to open; all hospitality is closed and gyms and hairdressers are also shut
All Scottish schools had been closed to most pupils and that will remain the case until at least mid-February
There have been a further 1,165 new positive cases and 71 newly reported deaths. Positive hospital patient numbers climb to 1,989 and of those people150 are in ICU
The Covid-19 vaccination programme is under way and 284,582 people have received the first of two injections. Of those men and women, 3,886 have had their second jab
Opposition parties voice their concerns in parliament about the speed of the vaccination programme
They quote Dr Andrew Buist, of BMA Scotland, who told the BBC patients are getting anxious and GP practices are struggling to plan because of "bumpy" vaccine supply
Ms Sturgeon says that despite different approaches by the four nations, Scotland will meet its mid-February target

Live Reporting

BBC Scotland News

Children with special needs "struggling" without schoolpublished at 14:07 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2021
Image source, Getty Images
Parents of children with special needs say they are struggling to cope because they are not getting their usual support or respite during lockdown.
Some children have limited or no time in school and provision appears to depend on where they live.
Many families are struggling with round-the-clock care, and want special schools to continue to operate full time in all areas.
The Scottish government said decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis.
Read more
Covid in Scotland: Restrictions, guidance and advicepublished at 14:05 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2021
1. Scottish government: Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you can and cannot do, external
From Tuesday 5 January, mainland Scotland moved from Level 4 to a temporary lockdown, with new guidance to stay at home , externalexcept for essential purposes. Some islands remain at Level 3, external.
On Saturday, five new rules came into force to tighten restrictions around certain areas including click and collect, takeaways and alcohol consumption outdoors.
On Monday, travel corridors were suspended after a new Covid-19 variant was identified in Brazil.
2. Postcode checker , externalfor Covid restrictions by protection level in areas of Scotland
3. NHS Inform, external
The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing, face covering and stay at home advice.
4. 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
The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing, face covering and stay at home advice.
5. The ready.scot , externalwebsite
It has been updated with the latest help and advice and how you can help others. The helpline number remains: 0800 111 4000
6. The Clear Your Head website, external
It's ok to not feel yourself right now, here are some tips to help get you through the pandemic.
'Continuity rather than change'published at 14:02 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2021
Glenn Campbell
BBC Scotland Political Editor
I am expecting continuity rather than change from today's announcement on coronavirus restrictions.
The continuation of the current lockdown and presumably the extension of remote learning for most school pupils into the February break at least.
Both decisions are likely to be reviewed again next month. But it's not clear if the first minister will feel able to suggest a target date for restrictions to ease.
Cabinet will also be giving special attention to the serious Covid outbreak on Barra and considering if the level three restrictions that apply in the Western Isles remain appropriate.
While there are signs the pace at which the current wave of coronavirus is spreading is starting to slow, evidence of much greater suppression will be required before the stay at home lockdown in place across mainland Scotland is lifted.
Covid in Scotland: The headlinespublished at 13:53 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2021
Image source, Getty Images
- Nicola Sturgeon is due to announce whether Scotland's Covid-19 lockdown is to continue past the end of January
- New data shows that about one in 10 people across the UK tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies in December, roughly double the October figure. However the figure in Scotland is said to be one in 11
- The number of people who have died with Covid across the UK is now close to 96,000, according to an analysis of death certificates
- First Bus is reducing services out of its Bannockburn depot after a number of staff members tested positive for coronavirus
- Dr Andrew Buist, of BMA Scotland says GPs are frustrated by "bumpy" vaccine supply in Scotland when the workforce is ready and waiting
- Parents of children with special needs are struggling to cope without school because they are not getting their usual support or respite during lockdown
- A 75-year-old nurse who almost died from Covid has returned to work
- Health Secretary Matt Hancock is self-isolating after being alerted by the UK's NHS Covid-19 app
Welcomepublished at 10:35 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2021
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Nicola Sturgeon will update MSPs on the latest review of Scotland's Covid-19 restrictions.
Welcome to the BBC's rolling coverage of the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland on Tuesday 19 January 2021.
We'll bring you extensive coverage of Nicola Sturgeon's update to MSPs in a session which is expected to begin at Holyrood at 2pm.
You can watch proceedings live here, with coverage on BBC One Scotland and also the BBC Scotland channel from 2.15pm.