What time is Nicola Sturgeon’s next announcement? When FM will give Scotland Covid update - and how to watch

Nicola Sturgeon will update Scots as Omicron cases continue to soar in the country after introducing new measures before Christmas
Nicola Sturgeon will update Scots amid rising cases. (Credit: Getty)Nicola Sturgeon will update Scots amid rising cases. (Credit: Getty)
Nicola Sturgeon will update Scots amid rising cases. (Credit: Getty)

Nicola Sturgeon is set to update the Scotland as Omicron Covid cases continue to rise rapidly across the country.

The First Minister will provide an update to the public and to MSPs about the ongoing restrictions which were introduced from Boxing Day onwards.

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Scots have seen restrictions on large outdoor and indoor public events, restrictions on meeting other households in hospitality settings and social distancing being reintroduced.

But when is Nicola Sturgeon due to give her next update, and what is she expected to say?

When is Nicola Sturgeon’s next Covid update?

The First Minister is set to provide a Covid update on Tuesday 11 January at around 2.20pm.

The update comes after a three week review of the Covid rules which had been announced shortly before Christmas.

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Those in Scotland have also been asked to return to working from home where possible, with Covid measures such as social distancing and protectives screens reintroduced into hospitality and retail businesses.

From Boxing Day, there were limits put in place for outdoor and indoor public events, limiting the number of people able to attend. This led to the cancellation of large Hogmanay events such as the traditional Edinburgh street party on 31 December.

Where can I watch the announcement?

You can watch a live stream of Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement on the Scottish Parliament’s Facebook page.

The BBC Scotland channel will also air a special programme of the statement at 2pm

What will Nicola Sturgeon announce at the next update?

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The expected update is due to let the public and MSPs know how effectively restrictions have been impacting surging Omicron cases.

The First Minister had previously said that the rules would be reviewed at a regular interval, with the update on 11 January marking the first review of the rules.

Ahead of the briefing, Ms Sturgeon has been encouraged to relax restrictions, with the First Minister herself admitting that Scotland will be “learning to live” with the virus.

Speaking to STV News, she said: “Sometimes when you hear people talk about learning to live with Covid, what seems to be suggested is that one morning we’ll wake up and not have to worry about it anymore, and not have to do anything to try to contain and control it.

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“That’s not what I mean when I say ‘learning to live with it’.

“Instead, we will have to ask ourselves what adaptations to pre-pandemic life – face coverings, for example – might be required in the longer-term to enable us to live with it with far fewer protective measures.”

Business leaders are among those urging Ms Sturgeon to relax restrictions on hospitality venues.

Ryan Crighton, policy director of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “The First Minister must announce the end of these damaging restrictions this week.

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“Not doing so places the very survival of many businesses at risk and jobs on the line.”

How many Covid cases are there in Scotland?

As of Monday 10 January, there were 11,827 new daily cases of Covid in Scotland, which represented 29.5% of all tests taken.

There were 1,432 people in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19, with 54 people in intensive care with the virus.

There have been no new deaths reported in Scotland, however it is worth noting that registry office are usually closed at the weekend which may lead to a dip in statistics.

How many people have been vaccinated in Scotland?

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As of Monday 10 January, 4,392,694 people have been given a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, with 4,048,656 receiving their second dose.

There have been 3,115,065 booster shots or third doses handed out to the Scottish public.

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