‘Right to question’ moving to Level 0

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf says it is “right to question” whether Scotland can move to Level 0 on June 28, due to the rise in Delta variant cases.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will today announce whether the final easing of coronavirus restrictions in England can go ahead on June 21.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will deliver her latest update on Covid-19 levels in the Scottish Parliament tomorrow afternoon.

Mr Yousaf told the BBC’s The Sunday Show that Scotland is in the “very, very early days of a potential third wave”.

He described the rise of cases of the Delta variant as a “bump in the road”.

The health secretary met clinicians and public health officials yesterday, ahead of a meeting of Ms Sturgeon’s Cabinet.

However, he said it would be “right to question” the proposed date of June 28 for a country-wide move to Level 0 lockdown restrictions.

The Scottish Conservatives criticised SNP ministers for failing to give clear indications over the lifting of restrictions or if further support would be given for specific sectors.

The Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have already made the move to Level 0, as part of changes announced earlier this month.

However, mainland Scotland will remain at either Level 1 or 2, depending on the number of cases in each local authority area.

Under Level 0 rules, it is permitted to meet socially in groups of up to eight people from four households in your own home or theirs.

It is also possible to meet with up to 10 people from four households in a cafe, pub or restaurant and with up to 15 people from 15 households outdoors.

Mr Yousaf said the government has to ensure it “understands fully the effects and the link between the rising number of cases and hospitalisation”.

A Public Health England study suggests the variant is around 60% more infectious than the Kent strain and twice as likely to put people in hospital.

But the numbers of those needing hospital treatment remain low.

Scottish Conservative shadow finance and economy secretary Liz Smith said SNP ministers “must explain clearly why these guidelines are likely going to remain in place for longer than they initially outlined”.

She added: “If SNP ministers ultimately do decide to keep restrictions in place for businesses through the summer period, then that must come with urgent further financial support that is delivered as quickly as possible.

“Throughout the pandemic, the SNP have failed to engage with struggling sectors and been far too slow to get funding to those needing it most.”

The health secretary previously warned that Pfizer dose numbers will be “particularly tight” over the next few weeks, which he said could impact the rollout of the vaccination programme.

But he told the BBC the Scottish Government has “enough supply” to complete all first doses for those aged 18 and over by the end of July.

He added that if more vaccine doses were made available then the government could “go faster” and could arrange more vaccine drop-in clinics.

CAUTION: Health Secretary Humza Yousaf warned Scotland is in the “very, very early days of a potential third wave”.