Nicola Sturgeon includes ‘close to full lockdown’ option in five-tier coronavirus system for Scotland

First minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced a new five-tier plan of measures for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland.

Levels one, two and three will be broadly similar to the English system, where areas are classed as either “medium”, “high” or “very high” risk.

However, areas in level four would be expected to be go back into something “closer to a full lockdown”, said Ms Sturgeon, although schools would be kept open where possible. “We would not use [level four] unless absolutely necessary,” she said.

Just like in March and April, all contact between different households indoors would have to stop, and non-essential shops would have to close.

She said schools would remain open as “as far is as possible” under level four, and up to six people from different households would be able to meet in parks and open spaces.

The SNP leader said level zero, for areas with fewer Covid-19 cases, would allow something “close to normality”.

If the draft plan is approved at Holyrood on Tuesday, the new measures will come into force in Scotland on 2 November, before being reviewed on a weekly basis.

“We do not envisage returning to a situation as severe as the first lockdown,” said the first minister. “We are not back at square one. Today’s framework will allow us, I hope, to make further progress.”

She added: “The more we all do in this moment to follow the rules and drive down the numbers, the more freedoms we can enjoy.”

Since 9 October, bars and restaurants in five areas – Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley – have been forced to close for all but takeaways. Pubs, restaurants and cafes elsewhere in Scotland are only allowed to serve indoor customers between 6am and 6pm with a ban on alcohol inside.

Ms Sturgeon has insisted it is “intolerable and unacceptable” that more funding support set out by chancellor Rishi Sunak for England on Thursday will not lead to extra cash being given to the Scottish government.

Mr Sunak announced billions of pounds of extra help for firms and workers affected by Covid-19 restrictions in England. She said it was “deeply unfair to Scottish businesses who deserve the same open-ended commitment”.

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