Plansto easevirus lockdown discussed

Lockdown measures designed to quell the spread of coronavirus are likely to be in place beyond Thursday’s latest deadline.

The news was confirmed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at a press briefing yesterday (Tuesday), where she also outlined potential next steps to exit some lockdown measures.

Among the measures under consideration by ministers and health chiefs are allowing people out for exercise in their local area more than current regulations allow, as well as outlining the potential re-introduction of NHS services postponed to help with hospital capacity.

Ms Sturgeon also raised the possibility of a slight relaxation on rules regarding meeting people from other households as part of a ‘social bubble’ - defined as a small group of individuals from elsewhere, possibly meeting outside in the early stages.

In terms of business, Ms Sturgeon also laid out how authorities were working with employers and trade unions to consider how some businesses could be restarted safely and gradually, with those in construction, retail and manufacturing likely to be first in line.

But she reiterated the message that any easing of restrictions on social interaction at this stage could lead to a sharp increase in transmission of the virus once again.

She added: “None of these decisions are easy. There are no absolute certainties and complex judgments will have to be made.

“As I’ve said before, lifting the lockdown will not be like flicking a switch. It will be a gradual process which will happen in phases.

“What we are seeking to do is find a path to a new normal – one which is less restrictive than the current lockdown, but which doesn’t risk the virus running rampant again.

In Scotland, a total of 1656 patients remain in hospital with the virus, with 104 currently being treated in intensive care.

The national death toll is now 1620.

The latest data released for the Forth Valley region - which accounts for those in hospital or having tested positive for Covid-19 - reveals that as of Monday, a total of 70 patients remained in hospital with coronavirus.

It also shows 794 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the region, although this figure is likely to be significantly higher in reality.