No return to restrictions ..for now
Health Secretary rejects more curbs despite high virus cases
THERE are no plans for a return to greater Covid restrictions – despite case numbers remaining high.
In the last three weeks, the number of daily reported cases has rarely dropped below 2000, with 2581 reported on Sunday, alongside two deaths. But ministers will not be considering a return to greater restrictions “at this moment”, according to the Health Secretary Humza Yousaf. Scots were subject to strict measures from the onset of the pandemic, ranging from curbs on hospitality to mandatory stay at home orders and school closures before they were eased in August. Yousaf said: “No further restrictions are being considered at this moment, we’re looking to maximise every lever that we possibly can. Our concern also is that we’re going into probably the most difficult winter we’ve ever faced, so other respiratory viruses such as flu will also cause sustained pressure, continued pressure on a very challenging situation in the NHS.”
Yousaf added that the Scottish Government remains “committed” to driving down case numbers, but coronavirus is likely to continue to have the opportunity to spread through the winter as people start to meet indoors.
He said: “Hopefully, for example, the excellent progress we’re making vaccinating 12-15-yearolds with the first dose of the vaccine, that will help to drive down numbers.
“We’re still committed to driving down numbers, we’re not satisfied at case levels the way they are.”
Yousaf also praised the support from the military adding: “We’ve asked them to come in and help, they’ve not wasted a single second.
“They’ve engaged with us and made personnel available.”