Faster spreading variant is a huge blow. Race between vaccine and virus which has just learned to run much faster
To ensure vaccine wins we need to speed up vaccine and slow virus. Because it's spreading faster need even tougher restrictions.
New variant up to 70% more, may add 0.7 to R number. New variant is almost half of new cases in Scotland. That's driving v serious situation.
1505 new cases, 15% positive today. No new deaths because of Sunday, 289 deaths since last update just pre xmas
Steeply rising - 7 day incidince up 65% in a week.
NUmbers in hospital expected to be close to April peak. Ayrshire and Arran and 95% of covid capacity. Intensive care still much lower than April due to better treatment. People in hospital now infected two weeks ago - so more pressure to come.
Risk of NHS being overwhelmed - without further intervention we'd probably breach covid capacity in 3-4 weeks.
Act quickly and decisively...other parts of UK show what lies ahead, we're probably 3-4 weeks behind SE England/London (they're at 900/100k now)
Need to further limit interaction. Must return to situation closer to lockdown of March
The actual IMPORTANT stuff
(oh no, here comes more chat...get on with it woman!)
the decisions...
- Level 3 islands stay as they are
-Level 4 (mainland) for whole of January, but may be for longer.
- Fundamental advice for everyone - stay at home - so important that from tomorrow it will become law just as it was last year. Only permissable to leave for an essential purpose (work, essential shopping, care, extended bubble). Must work from home if at all possible.
-Every business should make sure every function which can be done from home, is.
-Shielding - if you were in shielding category and can't WFH then you shouldn't go to work. Fit note will be provided.
-no limitation on frequency of outdoor exercise
- outdoor gatherings; given greater transmisability - max of 2 people from 2 households, under 11 don't count.
- strict travel restrictions remain - if you live in a level 4 you can't go out except for an essential purpose. Nobody to travel in to or out of Scotland except for essential purpose
-places of worship closing for everything except small funerals and broadcast
- canteens lose 1m exemption
- ski centres, showrooms, cosmetic and aesthetic clinics and some others to close
- £2.3 billion spent supporting businesses in Scotland
- SCHOOLS; closed until 1st feb except vulnerable/keyworker. Includes nursery schools.