Lockdown in Forres and Moray: Scotland to remain in lockdown until at least mid-February
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Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed the current lockdown will continue although there are positive signs that suppression of the virus is achieving results.
Speaking today at the Scottish Parliament, the First Minister also stated that schools and nurseries would remain closed to most children until at least mid-February.
She said: "We are still in a precarious position but the sacrifices which people have been making are having an effect.
"Test positivity has decreased as has the number of cases per 100,000 people, and the level of new cases with the new variant.
"It is important to be cautious and to see these trends continue, and we need to be realistic that downwards trends are down to us staying at home and reducing interactions.
"The situation could quickly be sent into reverse and this would accelerate pressure on the health service.
"Pressure on the NHS, on numbers needing care, is already acute.
"There are around 30 per cent more people in hospital than at the peak in April, and while the number in ICU is less, it has continued to increase.
"The pressure is real and severe and having a significant impact on non-Covid care.
"This will rise for a further period yet so we cannot see the rate of infections increase.
"The cabinet decided that the restrictions will remain in place until at least the middle of February and will review this again on February 2."
On the subject of schools, she continued: "We indicated previously that the earliest possible date for a return would be February 1.
"I know how much work staff are putting in to providing home learning, and I understand how distressing it is for pupils, but community transmission is too high to allow a safe return.
"School and nurseries will remain closed till mid-February.
"If at all possible to bring in a phased return mid-February we will, but this will be reviewed on February 2 on clinical advice.
"While nothing I have said today is unexpected, I continue to be grateful to people across the country for their resilience."
On the issue on Barra where more the 10 per cent of the island's population has tested positive, it was announced that both Barra and Vattersay will move to level 4 -- the same level as the mainland.
