The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Aberdeen told to stay in lockdown for another week
First Minister Sturgeon says moving too quickly could risk progress already made
Aberdeen is to remain in local lockdown for a third week as it is not yet safe to lift the restrictions, Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday.
City pubs and restaurants will remain closed and restrictions on household gatherings and travel will stay in place.
The first minster said she hopes to be able to lift the restrictions for “lower risk premises”, such as non-licensed cafés, from next Wednesday and a review will take place on Sunday.
Speaking at the daily coronavirus briefing, Ms Sturgeon said while the situation in Aberdeen is “undoubtedly improving” she is not “in a position to say that this outbreak is over or completely under control”.
She also gave the latest coronavirus figures in Scotland, including an update on various clusters.
While no coronavirus deaths have been reported in Scotland in the last 24 hours, the death total has increased by one to 2,492 due to a previous fatality being included in the figures. The death was registered on April 21 but not included in figures due to a delay.
A total of 19,457 people have tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up 50 from 19,407 the day before. The first minister said 4,216 people have died in Scotland with confirmed or suspected coronavirus, according to the National Records of Scotland. Three of these deaths were registered in the seven days up to Sunday, a fall of two from the week before and the lowest weekly figures since the pandemic began.
The weekly statistics differ from the lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths announced daily by the Scottish Government using Health Protection Scotland (HPS) figures as they include suspected or probable cases of Covid-19.
Lockdown returned to Aberdeen two weeks ago after a Covid-19 cluster was detected. Ms Sturgeon said the outbreak is “by some distance the most significant outbreak” Scotland had seen since lockdown measures were eased.
A total of 398 cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the Grampian area since July 26, she added, with 226 of these associated with the cluster linked to Aberdeen pubs. She stressed measures to tackle the outbreak in the area are having an impact, with “some evidence the original cluster linked with bars and nightlife is being contained”.
Ms Sturgeon reiterated that “moving too quickly” could risk the progress that has been made.
She added an immediate £1 million support fund will be made available for businesses in Aberdeen, with grants of up to £1,500 available for firms in the hospitality sector that have had to shut. Other businesses, such as hotels and shops, can also apply.