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Last update: Tuesday 17 November 2020, 4:58 PM
- Level 4 restrictions for 11 local authorities
- Infection rate remains of great concern, says Sturgeon
- Front-line staff should be paid extra £ 2 per hour, says STUC
- 37 new Covid deaths in Scotland in the last 24 hours
- FM confirmed another 1,248 new cases of the virus in Scotland
Here’s all of our comprehensive coverage from the Prime Minister’s speech to the MSPs
Big Issue calls for public support
In a tweet that followed Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement that 11 Scottish local authorities would be located at Level 4 of the regional lockdown system, The Big Issue asked the public to help their suppliers as much as possible.
“As @NicolaSturgeon announced this afternoon,” the magazine tweeted, “some areas of Scotland will enter a level 4 lockdown.
“This means that as of Friday, many of our suppliers will not be able to sell. They’ll be out until 6pm on Friday, so help them out if you can and buy a copy of @BigIssue. “
Christmas is typically one of the busiest times for the charity, selling a special luxury number costing £ 3 during the festive period.
Full breakdown of the latest coronavirus figures in Scotland
Interactive map of Scotland’s Covid-19 level restrictions
Schools will remain open in Tier 4 regions
Sturgeon said that despite arguments that schools should close to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the community, “our very clear view is that the damage caused by school closings significantly outweighs any impact schools have on. the broadcast”.
He added that guidance on how schools should operate in Level 4 areas was being reviewed, and that Secretary of Education John Swinney would release an additional evidence document on school safety tomorrow.
Fife will remain at level three lockout restrictions.
Falkirk will remain at level three lockdown restrictions
What support can companies receive?
In addition to the UK licensing scheme, all businesses requiring closure, at any level, are eligible for a four week grant of £ 2,000 or £ 3,000, depending on the taxable value.
Grants of £ 1,400 or £ 2,100 are available to businesses that are open, but subject to business restrictions.
Eligible businesses can apply for these grants now through their local authorities.
I can also confirm today that, in addition to this grant, we are establishing a discretionary fund of £ 30 million to allow local authorities to provide additional support to companies where they deem it necessary or justified, for example for companies in supply chains , or taxi drivers who suffer an indirect effect. We will also make an additional £ 15 million available to newly self-employed who have not been able to access other forms of support. And we’re making an additional £ 15 million available to local authorities to help with the community and social impact of a Tier 4 move.
Nicola sturgeon
The lock-level system works, says Sturgeon
Restrictions on family gatherings implemented in recent weeks have helped control the spread of the coronavirus in Scotland, the Prime Minister said.
Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs that the country was on track to see 3,000 new cases a day.
She said: “That has not happened. Daily case numbers are almost a third of that.
“The prevalence in Scotland is also lower than in other UK nations.
“So we have made progress, but the general level of infection is still higher than we need. And the national panorama masks a significant regional variation ”.
What level of coronavirus is your region of Scotland at?
Sturgeon ‘I’m really sorry’ for the Level 4 announcement
This pandemic is taking its toll on all of us, and some much more than others. I know today’s decisions will add to that for many, and I am very sorry.
Nicola sturgeon
Sturgeon Warning for Scots in Level 4 Regions – Do not travel to nearby areas
Traveling outside of Level 4 areas in Scotland could see a rise in the levels of other councils, Nicola Sturgeon said.
After announcing that 11 councils will move to the strictest restrictions starting Friday, the Prime Minister warned against travel to areas where the virus is less prevalent.
The travel restrictions will become law starting Friday, meaning that movement in and out of Level 3 and Level 4 areas will be illegal.
She said: “To put it bluntly, and we will need to monitor this, if we see evidence that people from East or South Ayrshire are visiting places in North Ayrshire, or that people from Glasgow are going to Inverclyde, we would have no choice but to put these areas in Level 4 as well.
“That is why it is essential that we all respect travel restrictions.”
The Prime Minister added: “To underline how important this is, I can confirm that the guidance that has been implemented in recent weeks will become law as of Friday.”
Scotland will conduct massive geographic testing
Sturgeon said that later this week the Health Secretary will present to Parliament a plan to begin vaccinating the most vulnerable “as soon as stocks of an approved vaccine are available.”
Ms. Freeman is also expected to present details of plans to screen home visitors, NHS staff, and students.
It will also announce a massive geographic testing program, building on lessons from the pilot underway in Liverpool and options to extend testing to other key worker groups.
Level 4 lock to be ‘short and sharp’
Placing council areas in Scotland in the most severe restrictions is intended to be ‘short and precise’.
Nicola Sturgeon, who announced that 11 local authorities will move to Level 4 from Level 3 beginning at 6pm on Friday, Nicola Sturgeon said the changes should have an impact before Christmas.
The Prime Minister told the MSPs: “I know people are frustrated that other restrictions have stayed in place longer than planned.
But Level 4 is meant to be short and sharp. And in this situation, it is specifically intended to have an impact before Christmas and the most challenging winter period.
“Lifting the Level 4 restrictions then, as we will do, also means that they will not be in effect for most of the Hanukkah period, so again, although the celebrations may be different, there will be a greater degree of freedom.
“We will evaluate closer to the moment the level that will be applied in each area when the Level 4 restrictions end on December 11.”
The Prime Minister added that she hoped the affected areas could move to Level 2 “much faster than it would be otherwise.”
