Localised restrictions extended to Lanarkshire

Restrictions on meetings in indoor household settings are to be extended to people living in Lanarkshire, following a rise in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the areas.

The restrictions, recommended by the National Incident Management Team chaired by Public Health Scotland, will apply to people living in or visiting the North and South Lanarkshire local authority areas and will be reviewed in seven days.

Since 4^th September, 205 positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified by Test & Protect in Lanarkshire.

The restrictions on indoor household gatherings will apply from midnight on Friday 11 September and will be the same as for those already in place for people living in Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire.

These are:

• people should not meet with people from other households in indoor household settings, whether in the affected local authority areas or elsewhere. Members of up to two households (maximum of six people) can continue to meet outdoors, including in gardens, and in hospitality settings, provided all existing guidance is followed
• if anyone living in these areas is identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they and all those in their extended household should self-isolate for 14 days
• indoor visits to hospitals and care homes will be limited to essential visits only to protect the most vulnerable. Outdoor visits to care homes are permitted by three people from a maximum of two households, in line with current guidance.

Those households who have formed an extended household and people providing care and support – for example caring for an elderly family member or delivering shopping - can continue to meet indoors with enhanced hygiene measures in place.

People living in all affected local authority areas who were previously shielding are asked to be particularly vigilant.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“It is clearly regrettable that these restrictions need to be extended to people living in Lanarkshire. I understand that this will not be welcome news for people living in these areas, especially ahead of the weekend, but we must act now to protect people and get more control over the virus in the area.

“Local public health teams have looked at where cases are being identified and, by restricting indoor meetings, we are helping to protect those who are most at risk from COVID-19 - as they are more likely to be meeting others in a household setting rather than in a public setting.

“I would ask everyone in the affected areas to be extra vigilant, to follow all guidance and to isolate and book a test if they have any symptoms. Above all, I want to emphasise that getting a test – and even getting a negative result – is not a substitute for self-isolating. If you have symptoms, or if you are contacted by our Test and Protect team and told to do so, you will need to self-isolate.”

Background

The restrictions currently in place in Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire will be next reviewed on Monday 14 September 2020.

The Scottish Government has not ruled out extending restrictions if necessary to protect public health.

Remember FACTS for a safer Scotland:

F – Face coverings. These should be used in shops and on public transport (buses, trains and taxis)

A – Avoid crowded places

C – Clean your hands frequently, using water & soap whenever possible

T – Two metres – observe physical distancing

S – Self-isolate and book a test if you are suffering from COVID-19 symptoms

Further guidance will be published on the Scottish Government website.