‘Nowhere near’ meeting criteria for phase four

SCOTLAND is “nowhere near” meeting the criteria to move to phase four of the route map out of lockdown, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The Scottish Government’s plans feature four phases and a threeweekly review procedure.

Scotland moved to the next phase at each of the previous review points, but on Thursday Ms Sturgeon announced phase three will remain in place to allow for the reopening of schools on August 11 and the pausing of shielding.

The First Minister has repeatedly warned Scots the move to the final phase could take longer and said yesterday that phase three will continue for the “foreseeable future”.

She said: “One of the criteria we’ve got to satisfy ourselves of to go into phase four is that the judgment is that this virus no longer presents a significant threat to public health and we’re not there yet right now.

“We’re not anywhere near that right now.

“I don’t think I can say any more than that right now but I said in Parliament last week that we would stay in phase three for now and when it comes to the next review in just under three weeks it’s quite possible that we will stay in phase three then as well.”

Despite saying there will be no wholesale move to phase four, the First Minister announced a number of indicative dates for the easing of some restrictions.

If the virus continues to be suppressed , outdoor mass gatherings and contact sports, funfairs, amusement arcades, bingo halls and pool halls will be allowed to reopen on August 24, along with the resumption of driving lessons.