Coronavirus in Scotland LIVE: Discharge link to Covid-19 outbreaks ‘cannot’ be ruled out
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Coronavirus in Scotland LIVE: The latest updates on Tuesday, April 20
Key Events
- Scotland’s lockdown restrictions to ease on Monday
- Scotland records further 178 Covid cases on Tuesday
- Two further Covid-19 deaths registered
Coronavirus in Scotland: 'I like the idea of being able to have a drink in a beer garden' says Nicola Sturgeon ahead of lockdown easing announcement
Nicola Sturgeon said she likes the idea of having a 'nice drink at a beer garden' ahead of lockdown easing announcement
The First Minister has admitted that she likes the idea of being able to have a ‘nice drink in a beer garden’ ahead of the coronavirus briefing where she is expected to announce ‘significant easing’ of lockdown restrictions.
Unemployment rate drops and vacancies rebound as economy reopens
Britain’s unemployment rate eased back further in February and job vacancies surged as firms prepared to reopen after lockdown in a sign of hope for the battered jobs market.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the jobless rate fell to 4.9% between December and February, down from 5% in the previous three months.
Most experts had expected it to rise to 5.1%.
But the figures also showed the number of workers on UK payrolls fell by 56,000 in March after three months of increases, as the pandemic continued to take its toll.
Overall there were 813,000 fewer workers on payrolls than in March 2020, with more than half of those – 436,000 – aged under 25.
Nicola Sturgeon LIVE
Scotland has recorded two deaths from coronavirus and 178 positive tests in the past 24 hours, Nicola Sturgeon said.
It brings the death toll under this measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – to 7,644.
Giving a Covid-19 update, the First Minister said 224,092 people have now tested positive in Scotland, up from 223,914 the previous day.
The daily test positivity rate is 1.4%, down from 2.5%.
There are 106 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, up two in 24 hours, and 13 patients are in intensive care, down one.
Ms Sturgeon said 2,750,052 people have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, up 2,358 from yesterday, and 797,267 have received their second dose.
Nicola Sturgeon says hospitality venues will be required to take contact details for all members of a party - not just the lead member
April 26: Up to 6 people from 2 households can socialise indoors in a public place such as a café or restaurant.
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