It’s as concern grows over the Omicron variant.
People in Scotland have been asked to limit socialising to three households at a time in the build-up to Christmas, in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon, saying that people should reduce their social contacts with other households “as far as possible”.
But she said the advice would not apply on Christmas Day and that people should not cancel their plans.
FM: "This is not the update I wanted to be giving a few days before Christmas…the fact that I'm asking for these sacrifices today underlines the risk we think Omicron might be."
— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) December 14, 2021
Businesses are also being encouraged to bring back social distancing measures and screens in shops and hospitality venues.
The Scottish First Minister told MSPs that the nation is facing a “likely tsunami” of new Omicron infection in the coming weeks, and warned of a “very significant” impact on health services.
This echoes the sentiment of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who on Monday warned that “there is a tidal wave of Omicron coming” and that the UK is now “facing an emergency.”
In the latest figures for Scotland published at 2pm on Tuesday, 3,117 new cases of Covid-19 had been reported with a further six deaths.
3,785,004 people in Scotland have been tested for #coronavirus
The total confirmed as positive has risen by 3,117 to 722,738
Sadly 6 more people who tested positive have died (9,725 in total)
Latest update ➡️ https://t.co/bZPbrCoQux
Health advice ➡️ https://t.co/l7rqArB6Qu pic.twitter.com/hZ42oFCXRx— Scottish Government (@scotgov) December 14, 2021
Related links:
- Shock horror – Dominic Raab doesn’t have a clue what’s going on with Omicron
- Covid: Booster jabs to be offered to all over-18s as PM declares Omicron ’emergency’
- Man United close training ground following Covid-19 outbreak within squad
