Localise restrictions and avoid blanket shutdowns

Scottish Government to consider ‘tailored response’ for future Covid outbreaks

Scotland could move to more localised coronavirus restrictions to avoid “longer, more general lockdowns” across the country.

Nicola Sturgeon said she would “very much hope” that where localised outbreaks or clusters occur it would be possible to have “effective localised measures” in place to contain the spread of the virus.

The first minister’s remarks follow a rise in coronavirus cases in Leicester, which means non-essential shops will close from today and schools will close to most pupils from Thursday.

Speaking during her daily briefing yesterday, Ms Sturgeon said that particular areas may have “some restrictions” in place for a “certain period of time” in a bid to contain the virus and prevent it “spreading over the country”.

If that were to happen, Scotland would face the prospect of “longer, more general lockdowns”.

When asked whether local lockdowns would focus on the exact location of the outbreak – such as a care home or a workplace – or whether it would cover a whole area, such as a specific postcode, town or city, Ms Sturgeon said that would depend on the “nature of the outbreak”.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said during yesterday’s briefing the government would look at a more “tailored response” in future, which would be aided by having more “granular data” at its disposal.

This might result in “outbreak management” around a particular institution or facility, or it might be on a “more geographical basis” if there was evidence an outbreak had progressed into “sustained community transmission”.

The first minister admitted that restrictions are never “easy to enforce” but said she was a “great believer that you get further in all this if you persuade people why you’re asking them to do things”.

She said that these “more individual or more community sacrifices” were for

“I’m a great believer that you get further in all this if you persuade people why you’re asking them to do things. NICOLA STURGEON

the “greater good” but added that she hopes the country continues to drive infection levels down so these localised measures do not prove necessary.

Councils and health boards have indicated that any future requirements for local lockdown would be assessed by the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland and they were waiting on further guidance to be issued by Holyrood on the subject.

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson, during a visit to a construction site in west London yesterday, said he was “concerned” about the outbreak in Leicester, amid reports the city could be locked down.

The city’s mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, heavily criticised the UK Government over its handling of the situation in the city, saying he needs to “be convinced” that an extension to the lockdown is necessary.

However, last night UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that non-essential shops only recently allowed to reopen would close as would schools.

PA. A worker for Leicester City Council disinfects public toilets as the city may be the first UK location to be subjected to a local lockdown.