Current restrictions extended and schools to remain closed for now

The restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 will be extended, Nicola Sturgeon has announced this afternoon.

Orkney will remain in Level Three but schools will remain shut to the majority of pupils until at least the middle of February.

Most school pupils are learning from home but there was some hope offered by Ms Sturgeon when she said she hoped that a phased return to schools may be possible by the middle of next month.

But she did warn “that it is simply too early to be sure about whether and to what extent this will be possible.”

Currently schools are closed to all but vulnerable children and the children of key workers.

She said the current restrictions were beginning to have an impact on case numbers but it was still too early to ease them.

“Any relaxation of lockdown while case numbers, even though they might be declining, nevertheless remain very high, could quickly send the situation into reverse.”

The Scottish mainland is in Level Four, while island areas were placed in Level Three on Boxing Day.

The islands of Barra and Vatersay on the west coast will move to Level Four from midnight tonight in response to a spike in cases there.

The next review of measures will be taken by the Scottish Government on February 2.