Orkney remains in Level Three after First Minister announcement

Orkney remains in Level Three of COVID-19 restrictions amid a “stay at home” message being enforced on the Scottish mainland from Tuesday.

A tightening of restrictions in Level Four areas, which is the whole of the mainland of Scotland, was announced this afternoon by Nicola Sturgeon, placing these areas much closer to the full lockdown of March and April 2020.

These restrictions will not apply to the island groups of Scotland.

However, schools in Orkney and across Scotland are to remain closed to pupils until February in a bid to curb a new, faster spreading variant of the virus.

The news will be a blow to Orkney Islands Council who had hoped to receive special dispensation to open schools due to the low prevalence of the virus.

More to follow.