Coronavirus: Aberdeen local lockdown to remain in place

The local lockdown imposed in Aberdeen a week ago after a spike in coronavirus cases is to remain in place.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the number of new cases in the city had fallen in recent days - but was still "much higher" than in other areas.

She said it was therefore too early to lift any of the restrictions.

It means pubs and restaurants will remain closed, with restrictions on travel and visiting other households still in place.

The first minister said the restrictions would be reviewed again next Wednesday, and pledged: "As soon as we can relax any of them, we will do so".

Ms Sturgeon said a total of 177 cases had now been linked to the outbreak - 12 more than yesterday - with 900 contacts having been identified.

She added: "In the last few days we have seen a slight fall in the number of new cases in Grampian and in those directly associated with the cluster.

"But despite this slight reduction, cases are still far higher than in any other part of the country - and considerably higher than they were in Grampian before the outbreak started".

The first minister said the Scottish government's conclusion, based on the advice it had received, was that "it is not yet possible to lift any of the restrictions that were put in place last week for Aberdeen."

The first cases in the Aberdeen cluster were linked to The Hawthorn bar

Ms Sturgeon said she knew people in Aberdeen would be disappointed by the decision, and thanked them for "complying so well with the rules".

She added: "We continue to watch closely for any signs that the outbreak has spread to Aberdeenshire in any significant way, but at present we are not placing any additional restrictions on people living in the shire".

She said the city council had been fully involved in the discussions, with the police reporting "good compliance" with the restrictions in the city since they were imposed last Wednesday.

The restrictions in Aberdeen mean:

• bars, cafes, restaurants and pubs are closed

• no travel more than five miles for leisure or holidays

• no travel to the city for leisure or to visit friends and family, even if you live in Aberdeenshire

• no indoor visits with other households

• visiting suspended for most hospitals

It emerged last week that eight Aberdeen FC players had visited the city's Soul Bar the previous Saturday, with two later testing positive for Covid-19.

Eight Aberdeen players are self-isolating after visiting a bar in the city before the local lockdown was imposed

The revelation angered the first minister, and has led to the cancellation of the club's next two matches.

One person who was among a cluster of five cases in north east Angus had been linked to the Aberdeen outbreak.

Health officials in Aberdeenshire have also been investigating a potential cluster in the Stonehaven/Portlethen area, but no connection to Aberdeen had yet been established.