Covid latest: Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City to move to Level 3 from Friday
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Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen will move up to Level 3 from Friday.
Talking today, she said: "Over the most recent weeks we have seen a rise in cases and test positivity has also increased.
"While we are in a better position than other countries, our position remains precarious.
"I have been advised that nine cases of the new variant have been found in Scotland, all in the Greater Glasgow area.
"Further analysis is being carried out to understand this variant, including whether there should be any change over the Christmas period.
"On a positive note the vaccination programme is now underway and over the next year we will see light at the end of the tunnel and at times there will be dips.
"The next few weeks may well be one of those dips.
She continued; "We have assessed the impact of the virus and the data for each area, our decisions are not simple.
"Given the context to our decisions, all 18 areas in level 3 will stay at level 3 - progress across the Central Belt has been made but we are monitoring some areas.
"In Lothian, raw indicators said they should be at Level 2, but the continued rise in cases has shown that it was the right decision to remain at Level 3.
"Numbers in Edinburgh City and Mid-Lothian have risen sharply and it would be irresponsible to lower levels."
"East Lothian will move back to Level 3 from Friday.
"Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire will also move to Level 3 from Friday, we conclude that tougher restrictions need to be applied.
"The increase in Aberdeenshire has not been quite as sharp as in the city, but it is our judgement that this is necessary.
"We are not alone in Scotland in facing these challenges, Wales and much of England are under similar levels.
"Highlands, Moray and Orkney and Shetland will remain at Level 1."
