Scotland to pause lockdown restriction easing in the face of the spread of the delta variant
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The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addressed parliament today and said that there will be a pause in the easing of restrictions.
She explained: "Next Tuesday a move to Level 0 was expected to be announced ahead of the three week review.
"Cases continue to rise by more than one fifth and are five times higher than in early May reflecting the spread of the delta variant in the majority of cases.
"We should not be complacent about a rising curve but vaccination is increasingly protecting people against illness.
"Our ability to cope in a less restrictive way is ongoing and we are watching if hospital cases are increasing and early data is encouraging.
"On one hand the delta variant is associated with higher risk of hospitalisation but double dose vaccination is giving high protection."
She continued: "While not completely broken , vaccination is weakening the link between new cases and hospitalisation.
"That is reflected in our own hospital data.
"It has fallen from 10 per cent at the start of year to 5 per cent now and people needing care are on average younger - mostly in their 30s and 40s before vaccination it was the over 50s.
"The fact that more are in younger age groups, fewer are requiring serious care and hospital occupancy is not rising at the same rate of Covid itself is encouraging.
"People are being discharged quicker and spending less time in hospital than at early phases of the pandemic.
"In short we are hoping that vaccination is changing the game in a fundamental way but evidence still needs examining and we need more time to get people vaccinated with both doses.
"The programme is being rolled out as quick as supplies allow, our biggest vulnerability is not getting people vaccinated and we need to buy time to do so.
"The UK government announced a four week delay yesterday and we will also take a cautions approach."
She continued: "The next full review will take place next Tuesday and will consider if possible from June 28 when we had hoped to move to Level 0, I will confirm that, but given the current situation it is reasonable to indicate that nowhere will move down a level.
"It is more likely another three week delay will be needed to vaccinate as many people as possible to give us best chance of normality in July.
"Accordingly if retaining three weeks, we will consider if minor changes are possible - anomalies have arisen that will be considered.
"Next week in all probability we will pause restrictions while we press ahead with vaccinations."
