First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addressed the concerns surrounding coronavirus clusters in Orkney and outbreaks of the virus elsewhere in Scotland. Ms Sturgeon was asked at what stage would the SNP Government implement a local lockdown to prevent further spread of the disease. Ms Strugeon refused to give a clear answer but argued the Government would be willing to implement stronger measures in the fight against COVID-19.
Ms Sturgeon did admit that provisional figures have indicated Scotland’s R rate has risen above 1 to 1.3.
During the briefing, Susan Ripoll from STV asked: “Given the size of the population in Orkney and how quickly this virus can spread, are you looking at a local lockdown?
“If not at this stage, at what point would this cluster need to get at before you would take this action?”
Ms Sturgeon replied: “The IMT in Orkney will be meeting later today and we will then get a report from that.
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“We will look carefully at whether there are decisions that are required to be taken.
“We don’t yet have the detail of information that allow us to do that right now.
“I think you have seen this in Aberdeen, where this is evidence of us requiring to take particular steps and impose restrictions, we will not hesitate.”
“Keeping transmission under control is so important, we will be looking very carefully at the deliberations and the conclusions of the IMT once it has had the opportunity to meet in Orkney today.
