Coronavirus in Scotland: What time will Nicola Sturgeon announce the new Scottish lockdown levels today, and what will she say?
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is set to announce the results of the Scottish Government’s review of its tiered local lockdown system across the country today.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of her address to the Scottish Parliament.
What is Scotland’s local coronavirus lockdown level system?
The system, which has five levels, was put in place to slow the rate of infections across Scotland without placing unnecessary restrictions on areas of the country with relatively low levels of coronavirus.
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The Scottish Government reviews the each region’s lockdown level on a weekly basis, using the latest data on infection rates to judge whether tougher, or more lenient, restrictions are appropriate.
When is Nicola Sturgeon due to speak?
The First Minister is scheduled to speak at around 2:15pm on Tuesday, November 17, though her address to MSPs in Holyrood may be delayed slightly if preceding parliamentary business runs over slightly.
Where can I watch Nicola Sturgeon’s speech?
Ms Sturgeon’s address to MSPs will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland, as well as online on Scottish Parliament TV.
You can also follow along on our dedicated LIVE BLOG, which will have to the minute information and reaction.
What will Nicola Sturgeon say?
Ms Sturgeon has hinted at certain changes she will announce in Parliament today.
Speaking at her press conference on Monday, Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government was “looking very closely” at areas of the country with “stable but still stubbornly high prevalence of the virus.”
The Government’s final decision will be taken by the Cabinet tomorrow morning, and then I will set that out to parliament tomorrow afternoon.She said that the current situation did not give the Scottish Government enough assurance that hospitals and intensive care services in Scotland will be able to cope “as we go deeper into the winter.”
It meant she was considering placing some areas of Scotland into Level 4 - the highest lockdown level with the strictest restrictions - “for a limited period”.
Currently no region of the country has been placed in Level 4.
Ms Sturgeon warned that Lanarkshire, Glasgow, and some surrounding parts of the west of Scotland could be subject to Level 4 restrictions - though we will not know for certain until the First Minister confirms the plan tomorrow.