Ministers meet to consider new coronavirus restrictions

The Scottish cabinet will meet on Tuesday to consider the possibility of further restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus.

The First Minister said on Monday, despite a national ban on people going into other people’s houses a fortnight ago, it was possible more measures may be required.

Nicola Sturgeon said the significant number of new Covid-19 cases was a cause for concern.

She said the 1522 cases reported over the weekend and the 697 on Monday showed the virus was on the rise again.

Sturgeon warned: “Given the numbers we are seeing – I have been very open about this over the past few days – it is possible that we will have to do more.

“There may well be a need for some further restrictions in the near future.”

If more restrictions are considered necessary, the First Minister said the government would try to give the public and Scottish Parliament “as much notice as possible”.

She indicated that travel restrictions were being considered, and added that the 10pm curfew for bars and restaurants “is one of the areas where, to be frank, we may have to go further for a period”.

However, she was clear the Scottish Government did not have plans for a switch to part-time schooling.

She said: “I have no proposal to switch children to part-time schooling. Let me be very clear about that.

“This is all about trying to manage this infection in a way that allows us to keep schools open.”