MSPS question Sturgeon’s plan to unlock nation

The first minister’s plan to exit lockdown has been criticised as “falling short of public expectations” and lacking clarity beyond the end of April.

The route map comes a day after publication of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan, which could see most Covid-19 restrictions abolished in England by June 21.

Scottish Conservative Holyrood leader Ruth Davidson claimed the Scottish Government’s framework “isn’t a roadmap out of Covid, it is a holding document for the next eight weeks”.

She added: “We didn’t get information about when measures like social-distancing will end and when we will be able to do something as basic as give a loved one a hug.

“Everyone understands that we might not be able to give people absolute certainty – but they were at least expecting the first minister to give them some kind of hope.

“Nothing has been published about what happens after April 26. This isn’t a route map out of Covid-19, it is a holding document.”

Scottish Labour interim leader Jackie Baillie said the route map lacks clarity on its “ultimate goal”, criticising the absence of test and trace strategies in the exit plan and lack of certainty over what people can expect in the coming months.

She said it is “important people understand what lies ahead”.

Ms Baillie asked: “Is it suppression of the virus, using testing, tracing and vaccination but accepting that there is some risk, as we do with flu each year, or is it elimination with zero Covid and the prospect of continuing restrictions over a longer period – including further lockdown?”

Ms Sturgeon said a revised testing strategy will be published as the country comes out of lockdown.

On vaccines, she said the “biggest unanswered question” is exactly what impact they have on people catching and spreading the virus.

The first minister stressed that while evidence is “really positive”, more data needs to be analysed to give “confidence on reducing transmission”.

North-east MSP Liam Kerr said several questions “still remain unanswered” including on when life events such as weddings can be held as normal or when social-distancing will end. He also called for the return to the tiered system of restrictions to reflect infection levels.

However, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie welcomed the more gradual approach taken by the first minister, claiming there is “broad consensus in the country on the caution required”.

He added: “The measures today are broadly similar to those early measures announced by Boris Johnson on Monday with an earlier, if phased, easing on schools and two-person outdoor limit and a slightly later easing on shops.”

Scottish Conservative Holyrood leader Ruth Davidson.