‘ Circuit- breaker’ lockdown plan suggested For October holidays

A SO- CALLED “circuitbreaker” lockdown in October is being considered in Scotland if Covid- 19 continues to spread.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney confirmed the suggestion was presented in evidence from the Scottish Government’s scientific advisors but said no decision has been made.

Swinney said it was an “interruptive action”.

He told the Scottish Parliament’s Covid- 19 committee that it was one possible action under consideration.

Swinney said: “A circuibreaker in October has been suggested in the advice from SAGE.

“It has been raised as a possibility if the pandemic continues to grow.

“There may be a necessity to take interruptive action to slow the progress of the pandemic.

“The suggestion has been made.

“No decision has been made nor have we had

advice it will be required.”

Asked if it could mean schools closing, he raised the possibility of action coinciding with the school holidays.

Swinney said: “The last thing I want to do is to close schools.

“We’ve gone to a great deal of effort to open schools. There is very little evidence of in- school transmission of the virus – it’s miniscule.

“I want to ensure full- time education to the greatest extent possible.

“In October we have school holidays. The schools will be off for the normal holidays as planned.

He said the school holidays could “represent an opportunity to slow down connections between individuals in the community”.