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Nicola Sturgeon has announced new lockdown restrictions in Scotland as the number of people testing positive for coronavirus continues to rise.
The Prime Minister told the MSPs that the country must remain in phase 3 of the blockade for now and that it will probably remain so “for some time.”
The SNP leader also revealed a series of new restrictions on social gatherings aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.
Starting Monday, there will be a new limit of six people from two households who will be allowed to meet socially, a rule that covers gatherings in homes as well as in pubs and restaurants.
The reopening of sports stadiums to fans was also delayed until next month at the earliest.
Customers of hospitality companies are also expected to cover their faces when entering pubs and restaurants before sitting down.
“I know that making those decisions, keeping distance from friends, staying in small groups indoors, washing our hands regularly, gets more difficult and tiring as time goes on,” Sturgeon told MSPs.
“But they are more important now than they have been for months.”
He also made clear the new rules on social gatherings that apply to homes and not just businesses.
“Let me also re-emphasize that the new six-person two-household limit will apply in restaurants, pubs and beer gardens, as well as in our homes,” he added.
“We hope that by reducing the risk of transmission in those environments, it will help keep the industry open.”
The Prime Minister said the spike in cases was not entirely unexpected, as more businesses were reopened and people began traveling more, with 96% of businesses north of the border now operating again.
Students are also returning to colleges and universities after the schools reopened last month.
The Prime Minister had previously urged people to download the new confidential coronavirus contact tracing app that has now been activated.
Its objective is to allow the tracing of a wider range of contacts through the use of mobile phones to detect who has been very close to a positive case.
Sturgeon tweeted Thursday: “There is a new way to help fight Covid in Scotland. ‘Protect Scotland’, our sensitive contact tracing app, will anonymously notify app users it has been in contact with. nearby, if they test positive. Download, and let’s all protect Scotland. “
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