Coronavirus latest: Restrictions on indoor household visits extended to North and South Lanarkshire

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon views the new Covid-19 track and trace app.

Restrictions on visiting other households will be introduced in North and South Lanarkshire from midnight tonight after a rise in coronavirus cases.

People in the two areas should not visit people from other households in an indoor household setting.

They can continue to meet up with another household outdoors or in hospitality settings following the new guidelines issued for the whole of Scotland earlier this week.

The two areas join others in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde region in having measures imposed.

Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, West Dunbartonshire and East Dunbartonshire are already under similar restrictions.

The following restrictions will apply from midnight tonight across Lanarkshire, in addition to existing national restrictions:

People living in the area should not meet with people from any other households in indoor household settings. More here👇 pic.twitter.com/lR1EBQovPX

— Monica Lennon (@MonicaLennon7) September 11, 2020

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.

“l 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 etting 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.”

The move comes after 205 positive cases were identified in the region in the past week.

The restrictions will be reviewed in seven days.