Sturgeon urges caution over ‘ relaxed’ measures

NICOLA Sturgeon has urged people to be cautious over the five days of eased lockdown rules at Christmas.

She set out what the temporary relaxed Covid restrictions for Christmas are for Scotland.

The First Minister said that just because people could travel and meet other households it “doesn’t mean they have to”.

The relaxed restrictions will be in place for five days between December 23 and December 27.

The rules in Scotland are that three households can meet indoors and stay overnight but the three- household “bubble” should include no more than one extended household already formed.

The “bubble” should include no more than eight people, although children under 12 are not counted towards the total.

Travel restrictions will be suspended throughout the UK but only for the purpose of forming a bubble.

The First Minister said that you cannot meet with two other households one day and then one other the next day.

Also, any socialising in hospitality should be done only with those from within the household bubble.

Sturgeon said: “I know some people will think it is too strict and other will think it is reckless.”

The First Minister said she could understand both points of view.

The Scottish Government advice states: “Just because we are providing advice on how to spend Christmas with other people, should you consider that necessary for your own personal circumstances, it does not mean you have to do it.”

The latest coronavirus statistics showed another 51 deaths registered in the past 24 hours of someone who had tested positive in the last 28 days.

There were another 1225 positive Covid cases across Scotland, with 383 of these in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area.