First Minister says the Scottish Government is not considering a second lockdown to tackle Covid-19

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed today the Scottish Government is not considering a full scale lockdown similar to the one imposed in March.

However, at the Scottish Government daily briefing the First Minister did say a new raft of restrictions would be announced in an address to the Scottish Parliament tomorrow. 

Ms Sturgeon was also keen to point out that final decisions on the restrictions that would be imposed in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 had yet to be made.

The First Minister sought to calm fears that a second full lockdown will be implemented. She said: " Let me be clear: we are not proposing another lockdown at this stage. We will not be asking you to stay in your homes like we did in March."

Nicola Sturgeon was keen to point out the measures that were not being considered.  She added: "Other than for October holidays schools will not be closed, not even temporarily."

"We are not about to halt the remobilisation of the NHS - it is vital that our National Health Service is there for non COVID conditions as well as there for everything we have to deal with in relation to COVID."

Ms Sturgeon was also keen to stress there would be no travel restrictions imposed within Scotland, which is a stark contrast to the five-mile restrictions previously see in lockdown. 

Nicola Sturgeon told reporters: "The situation is not yet out of control but the sharp rise in the number of cases of those being infected and those in hospital is cause for concern."

The First Minister also said the Scottish Government was mindful of the impact further restrictions could have on people's mental health: 

"We are mindful of the harm caused by isolation, in particular for people who live on their own."

"We are considering the extent to which any measures have to be taken nationally, regionally or perhaps a bit of both."

Nicola Sturgeon said the impact of restrictions on the economy will also be considered in tomorrow's statement to Parliament.