Court restrictions due to COVID extended

Restrictions currently in place at Perth Sheriff Court will be extended until at least March, it has been confirmed.

The court will continue to focus on the most serious trials and the majority of summary trials will be adjourned.

This will reduce the overall number of criminal trials taking place during lockdown by up to 75 per cent.

It had been hoped to ease court restrictions from February 28, but the Lord President has said they will continue due to the “continued high transmission levels of COVID-19”.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service said: “Court buildings and court rooms adhere strictly to that guidance.

“While there is an increased risk of transmission from the new variant of COVID across the wider community, the clinical advice has remained that, provided the FACTS guidance is followed, the working environment is as safe as possible.

“We have reviewed current COVID-19 transmission levels, including the ongoing impact of new variants with senior public health officials in the Scottish Government.

“This has confirmed that we have taken all the right steps in making our buildings safe and that we should continue to focus on the most essential business at this time to reduce travel, overall footfall and physical interaction in our courts. By taking these steps we continue to support the public health response at this critical time.”