Scotland covid updates live: Nicola Sturgeon urges residents in two Glasgow postcodes to take test

Nicola Sturgeon has urged residents in two south side postcodes to take a coronavirus test amid a 'significant outbreak'.

It comes following an announcement that Glasgow will remain in Level 3 lockdown for at least another week.

The First Minister shared the 'disappointing' news at the Scottish Parliament while answering emergency questions on rising covid rates, here and in Moray.

It means that for at least the next week, Glaswegians will be asked not to travel in and out of the city.

Concerns have been voiced this week about a surge in cases in Glasgow, in particular the south side of the city, thought to be linked to the Indian variant of the virus.

The latest published rate for Glasgow is 80.4 per 100,000 (between May 5 and May 11) and for Moray it's now 68.9.

The FM confirmed that there is evidence of the Indian variant in Glasgow, thought to be more transmissible even than the Kent variant.

Businesses that were meant to open on Monday (May 17) - when the rest of the Scotland will continue to Level 2 - will be given financial support from the Scottish Government, the FM added.

Follow all the latest lockdown updates - and what this means for Glasgow - below.

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08:56CRAIG WILLIAMS
Glasgow covid spike shows lockdown progress 'fragile', warns John Swinney
Deputy First Minister John Swinney has warned that the rising case numbers in Glasgow shows the "fragile" nature of Scotland's progress in suppressing Covid-19.

Today sees the majority of Scotland move from Level 3 to Level 2 restrictions, with the exception of Glasgow and Moray, where the coronavirus infection rate has spiked dramatically.

The rule change means people in areas where restrictions have eased will be able to hug loved ones again and socialise indoors.

Full story here

08:22CRAIG WILLIAMS
Nicola Sturgeon urges public to 'continue to be cautious' amid further easing of restrictions in Scotland

15:43HOLLY LENNON
292 coronavirus cases reported overnight
Today's coronavirus statistics -

292 new cases of COVID-19 reported
16,003 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results – 2.0% of these were positive
0 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
3,020,335 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 1,621,031 have received their second dose
14:22HOLLY LENNON
413 new coronavirus cases recorded overnight
413 new cases of COVID-19 reported
27,866 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results – 1.6% of these were positive
0 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
3,003,339 people have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination and 1,599,519 have received their second dose
12:42HOLLY LENNON
South side residents urged to take covid test
Nicola Sturgeon has urged residents living in Glasgow's south side to get a covid test.

The area is experiencing a 'significant outbreak' of the virus forcing the First Minister to pause plans for the city to move to Level 2 on Monday.

Read the full story HERE.

21:22CARLA JENKINS
NHS GCC urges all Glaswegians in asymptomatic areas to get tested
NHS bosses are urging Glaswegians to get covid tests even if they are showing no symptoms of the virus.

They are particularly asking those living in affected areas of Glasgow, such as the south side, to visit their local asymptomatic testing centre and take a Covid-19 test.

They say this will help to determine "whether members of the public have the virus even if they do not have any symptoms".

NHS bosses have made lateral flow home test kits available at all test centres so that people can undertake regular testing at home and are reviewing options for PCR kits to be made more readily available.

They are also looking at ways to "ensure vaccination uptake is as high as possible" in the affected areas, including contacting those who have opted out of receiving their vaccination.

Read the full story HERE.

16:57CARLA JENKINS
RECAP on Sturgeon's announcement this afternoon
A quick summary of the most recent announcement:

Glasgow will remain in level 3 and not move to level 2 on Monday as planned
The surge in cases is concentrated in the south side and is thought to be due to the so-called "Indian variant' which is more transmissible than the Kent variant
People are asked not to travel in and out of Glasgow City
Hospitality businesses will be offered £750 as compensation
FM will seek JCVI advice over the weekend about accelerating vaccine roll out
restrictions will be reviewed "at the end of next week"
16:47CARLA JENKINS
FM will seek JCVI advice about accelerating vaccine programme in Glasgow City over weekend
Willie Rennie has asked if the vaccine "can be rolled out to all ages in Glasgow".

FM "does not have sufficient evidence that the Indian variant is driving the outbreak in Glasgow", she says.

It is evidence that is heavily indicative, she says.

The FM has been discussing the idea of vaccinating younger people in Glasgow as part of their response. She will discuss with JCVI over weekend and will find their advice before saying what will happen. She says there will be an accelerated access to vaccinations in some way but can't say exactly what it will be at the moment.

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FM hopes further restrictions will be 'limited in duration'
FM adds "We will issue details of eligibility of additional funding in the future"

Businesses and leisure will be affected mostly, she said.

By acting in this really regrettable way, acting quickly and being precautionary this will be limited in duration'.

She hopes this time next week she will be setting out a more hopeful picture. She says her caution will be in the greater good for businesess and in their interest in the future.

16:42CARLA JENKINS
FM stresses Government will do what they can to 'mitigate and compensate' hospitality businesses
The FM adds "We will have further discussions with both councils and economic resilience teams to make sure we are proviing maximum financial support".

FM is mindful of 'impact' of lack of warning and will do what they can to 'mitigate and compensate' hospitality businesses for inconvenience caused.

16:39CARLA JENKINS
Concern about Indian variant in Glasgow south side
FM says she can't give a '100% guarantee' about moving out of level three next week.

My message is to 'continue to do what we have aways done' she said.

The different factor in Glasgow is the concern about the Indian variant and that it is more transmissible than the Kent variant.

16:36CARLA JENKINS
FM says progress still remains 'good' despite 'disappointing' update
Progress remains 'good' says the FM but 'exercising suitable caution' means weare likely to stay on the same track of progress.

16:34CARLA JENKINS
People not to travel in and out of Glasgow City for the next week
People are asked not to travel in and out of Glasgow City for the next week.

Businesses will recieve more money, up to £750 per week, and both situations will be reviewed again at the end of next week.