Covid in Scotland: Deaths fall & vaccines rise

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Back at the briefing, the first minister is asked about what will be the deciding factor in meeting the 26 April target in relation to UK travel restrictions.

Ms Sturgeon says it will be a mixture of the data here and the situation elsewhere.

She adds she wants to get the restrictions lifted "as soon as possible" so people can be reunited with their loved ones.

The first minister says if she thinks she can bring the dates forward, then she will do.

But she adds the plans announced on Tuesday represent "the most likely timeline out of lockdown".

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Scottish Greens co-leader Alison Johnstone MSP tells the BBC One programme that she believes Test and Protect working correctly is key, as is more support to enable people to self-isolate.

Speaking about travel restrictions, she says a four-nation approach to quarantine is essential.

Ms Johnstone says it is impossible to know where a new variant is developing at any time and our borders are "clearly permeable".

And she adds that this is an area requiring "the greatest consideration and co-working".

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Scottish Conservative MSP Donald Cameron says he welcomes much of the first minister's statement on Tuesday as his party had been calling for a detailed plan for some time.

He tells BBC One's Coronavirus Update: "We now have some indicative dates but we could have done with them a lot sooner."

Mr Cameron adds the vaccine programme, which is set to exceed two million doses has been a "great Scottish and UK success story".

Asked about international travel, he urges caution but adds a UK-wide approach is "the most sensible one".

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The first minister is asked about the comments of Conservative MP David Davis in relation to the Scottish government's handling of allegations against Alex Salmond.

The former UK minister told MPs during a Commons debate that there had been a "concerted effort" by SNP officials to encourage complainers to come forward.

Ms Sturgeon says she will only address the matter once.

She adds: "I refute, strongly refute, the suggestions and insinuations from David Davies in the House of Commons last night.

"I am not going to to have this Covid briefing side-tracked by the latest instalment of Alex Salmond's conspiracy theory.

"That's just how it is today."

Quote Message: I have given eight hours of evidence to the parliamentary committee looking into this. They are now able to assess all of the evidence they have taken, including the evidence they have in relation to the evidence and claims made by David Davis last night. They have a job of work to do right now. I'm going to allow them to do that job of work and in the meantime get on with my job of work which is leading this Covid briefing. from Nicola Sturgeon First minister

I have given eight hours of evidence to the parliamentary committee looking into this. They are now able to assess all of the evidence they have taken, including the evidence they have in relation to the evidence and claims made by David Davis last night. They have a job of work to do right now. I'm going to allow them to do that job of work and in the meantime get on with my job of work which is leading this Covid briefing.

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Back in the BBC One studio, Dr Gail Carson, a consultant in infectious diseases joins the discussion.

She says that we should look at the pandemic as a global pandemic, and not necessarily through a Scottish or UK lens.

She talks about the Covax programme which helps get vaccines to poorer countries and says we are "not safe until everybody in the world is".

Dr Carson says as we come into a phase of recovery, this should be a phase of preparedness.

We are in a very privileged position to have one of the best vaccination programmes in the world, she adds.

Asked about the pay-off between the measures and freedoms, she says we have all as a community been through so much and we need time to heal.

Going back into normal life a bit slower, she says, "might not be a bad thing" and we should consider the opportunity to deal with social inequalities as we rebuild as a society.

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The chief medical officer jumps in on the issue of international travel.

Dr Gregor Smith says that he has been looking at data across Europe and many countries are experiencing exponential growth in infections.

He says this is because they are being exposed to three new variants, with the B117 variant - seen here since before Christmas - is now seeded across Europe.

Some other countries are also seeing the South African and Brazilian variants growing and it worries him that these may establish themselves in continental Europe as a potential source of problems.

Dr Smith says they are monitoring the situation closely and taking all the safety measures they can to try to limit the introduction of those variants into Scotland.

He says that continuing vaccination of the population will let them judge what normality will look like for society in the summer.

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BBC Scotland's Catriona Renton asks the first minister if people will be able to stop wearing masks in the summer and if there will be mass gatherings indoors.

She also asks if Ms Sturgeon will provide a framework for the aviation industry.

The first minister says she will be talking to the aviation sector over the course of this week about when and to what extent some international might be possible.

She adds she doesn't think it will be possible before 17 May and it might not be possible for a period after that.

The first minister says the picture is "not as rosy" in other parts of the world and in some parts of Europe.

Ms Sturgeon also says she is working hard to get a four-nations approaches to travel.

But she adds that if she thinks decisions made by the UK government don't go far enough, then she will do what she thinks is best for Scotland.

The first minister says she is not yet sure what "normality will look like" but she is hopeful about staging gatherings this summer.

She adds masks may be "really important for a while yet".

Quote Message: This is a global pandemic and we have to be cautious about the global picture as we take the decisions about our inter-connectedness. from Nicola Sturgeon First Minister

This is a global pandemic and we have to be cautious about the global picture as we take the decisions about our inter-connectedness.

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The pace of the vaccination programme in Scotland is picking up.

More than 38,000 people got their first jab yesterday and the number who've got their first jab is now just a fraction short of two million.

But the progress being made immunising those in the nine priority groups is ultimately more important.

Practically everyone over 65 has been vaccinated and by today 67% of people between 60 and 64; 42% between 55 and 59 and 34% between 50 and 54 have had their first jab.

Getting through the first nine priority groups matters because they account for 99% of all the deaths and the overwhelming majority of hospital admissions.

The aim is to offer them all a jab by mid-April but some sources are privately optimistic that this target could be broken.

Without downplaying the risk of Long Covid - or the examples of younger, healthier people falling dangerously ill - the role of the vaccination programme will inevitably be slightly different once it moves on to younger people with no underlying conditions.

In general, vaccinations work through a two-pronged strategy:

• they stop some people who are exposed to a virus from falling ill
• and they reduce transmission, so people are less likely to be exposed to it in the first place.

This means that vaccination a younger person doesn't only lead to a reduced risk of them developing Covid symptoms - they would also be helping to reduce transmission so there is even less chance of someone more likely to be seriously ill after contracting it.

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Ms Sturgeon says she has a "stronger sense of optimism" following the success of the vaccination programme.

She goes over the latest reopening dates: 5 April for hairdressers and barbers and some retail, 26 April for non-essential retail and some hospitality and also the lifting of travel restrictions.

She hopes that we will enter lower levels of restriction by June and says this should give us all "considerable cause for optimism".

But she does also issue a warning and mentions the slight uptick in infections over the past week, saying it is a "stark reminder" that we should not become complacent.

The FM then reiterates the rules for meeting outdoors and FACTS advice.

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The first minister turns to shielding and says she expects people who are on the list should be able to return to their workplace, if they can't work from home, from 26 April.

She adds that, until then, if they can't work from home they should stay away from the workplace.

The same guidance applies to children and young people in relation to school and childcare services and to college and university students.

Ms Sturgeon adds: "I want to stress that this advice applies even if you have had one or both doses of the vaccine."

The chief medical officer will be writing to those on the list to provide more details on the guidance.

The first minister thanks those on the list for their "forbearance and patience" over the last year.

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The first minister's first point relates to testing.

She says that, as we leave lockdown, we will rely on the Test and Protect service.

She says that today the Scottish government is publishing its updated testing strategy.

It includes testing plans for key public services including healthcare, and also in businesses that are potentially susceptible to outbreaks as well as essential businesses such as food processing and distribution.

It also sets out testing for staff, young people and children in schools and childcare settings, plus asymptomatic testing in communities across Scotland.

The strategy also provides details of a new genomic sequencing service to be established in Scotland, to identify specific variations of the virus.

Ms Sturgeon adds that Scotland and the UK are already ahead in the area and that the Scottish government is investing £13m in a genomic testing centre to be established here in Scotland.

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The first minister confirms that as of 08:30 on Wednesday a total of 1,981,818 people had received their first dose of the vaccine, an increase of 38,311 since yesterday.

In addition, 181,879 have received their second dose – an increase of 10,987.

Overall, a total of 49,298 people received vaccinations yesterday.

Ms Sturgeon adds "virtually all" over-65s have now had the first dose of the vaccine as well as 67% of 60 to 64-year-olds.

She adds 42% of 55 to 59-year-olds and 34% of 50 to 54-year-olds have also received their first jab.

The first minister says the number of vaccinations carried out on Tuesday was the highest number in a single day that has been reported for some time.

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Nicola Sturgeon will begin the Scottish government's coronavirus briefing shortly, with chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith joining her.

You can follow the latest developments right here and watch or listen live by clicking on one of the tabs above - for coverage on BBC One Scotland, the BBC Scotland channel or BBC Radio Scotland.

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Business owners claim the hospitality industry is being "scapegoated" by the government as it moves to ease lockdown restrictions.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced a plan which will see hairdressers and garden centres allowed to reopen from 5 April.

All shops, gyms and tourist accommodation can return from 26 April.

But indoor hospitality including pubs, restaurants and wedding venues will still face some restrictions.

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Here's what is happening so far:

• Parts of the economy are preparing for reopening after Nicola Sturgeon gave firm dates during her update on Tuesday
• Hairdressers and garden centres are among the first to get going again on 5 April
• The travel ban will be lifted on 26 April when "stay local" will become the new message
• Non-essential shops, gyms and tourist accommodation will also begin to reopen on 26 April, as well as some indoor hospitality.
• Some business owners believe the hospitality industry is being "scapegoated" in the reopening plans
• A new report from the Fraser of Allander economic institute says the rollout of the Covid vaccine has increased expectations of stronger economic growth in 2022
• PPE firm Alpha Solway is investing £33m to expand its Scottish operation. A new factory will be built in Dumfries with 300 jobs being created across the region
• UK health secretary Matt Hancock has insisted the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is safe after 13 countries suspended use over blood clotting claims

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The Scottish government unveiled its latest timetable for the route out of lockdown on Tuesday.

Nicola Sturgeon set out "indicative" dates for easing restrictions - dependent on continued progress in driving down infection rates.

The process will begin with more relaxing of the current rules before moving back to the levels system used earlier in the pandemic.

Find out more here.