Scotland could remain in lockdown for longer than the rest of the UK following crunch talks between Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson over easing restriction measures.
The prime minister told Ms Sturgeon different parts of the UK may move out of lockdown at “slightly different speeds” during a call between the two leaders on Thursday afternoon.
The first minister had earlier warned changes reportedly set to be announced by Mr Johnson on Sunday would “not be safe to make in Scotland”, as she formally extended lockdown restrictions for a further three weeks.
A spokesman for the prime minister said Mr Johnson had reiterated his commitment to continuing a UK-wide approach during the phone call with Ms Sturgeon, “even if different parts of the UK begin to move at slightly different speeds”.
“During the call, the prime minister emphasised that this is a critical moment in the fight against coronavirus and that the government will not throw away the efforts and sacrifices of the British people,” the spokesman said.
“He was clear that we will not risk a second peak that could overwhelm the NHS, and we will act with maximum caution in order to save lives.”
During her daily briefing in Edinburgh, the first minister said it would be a “catastrophic mistake” to drop the stay at home message after it was suggested the UK Government could scrap the slogan as part of Sunday’s announcement.
Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government may allow people to spend more time outdoors – in line with the prime minister’s reported plans for the UK – but warned she would not be pressured into lifting restrictions prematurely.
It is not an exaggeration to say decisions now are a matter of life and death.”
Nicola Sturgeon
Some reports had suggested more people could be encouraged to return to work when Mr Johnson reveals his plans on Sunday evening but Ms Sturgeon said any easing of measures would be “very, very risky” at this stage.
In a sign of increasing strains between the UK and Scottish governments, she also made clear her displeasure at learning about the prime minister’s potential plans through newspaper front pages.
The first minister appeared to row back on her previous statement that a draft version of the plan had been shared with the Scottish Government last weekend, and said details had not been discussed with devolved administrations.
Ms Sturgeon said her preference was for all four nations to make changes together at the same pace but added “we can decide in an entirely grown-up way if we are at different stages and want to go different ways”.
“I’m very clear that I want four nations decision making but that has to be all four governments discussing and agreeing,” she said. “It cannot be one government deciding and the rest of us simply being expected to fall into line.
“I’m very clear that what I have read in the media today, at the stage we are at and with the evidence we have about the infection rate and the R number, those changes would not be safe to make in Scotland – with the one exception that I’ve spoken about already around outdoor exercise.”
The Scottish Government previously confirmed it believes Scotland has a slightly higher R number – or rate of transmission – than the rest of the UK, likely because England recorded earlier cases of the virus.
Ian Diamond, chief statistician at the Office for National Statistics, has said there is variation in the R number across the country, with London probably having the lowest.
Ms Sturgeon confirmed there had been a further 59 deaths from coronavirus recorded in Scotland overnight on Thursday, taking the total to 1,762. She said 12,924 people have now tested positive for the virus, up by 215 from 12,709 the day before.
The number of people in intensive care saw a decrease of three, down to 86, while patients in intensive care dropped by 45 to 1,587.
The first minister said strict rules to limit activity would be extended because the Scottish Government’s assessment of the evidence “leads me to the conclusion that the lockdown must be extended at this stage”.
However, she said it was possible changes could be made before the next review date in three weeks’ time “if the evidence suggests it is safe to do so”.
“Extreme caution is required at this critical juncture to avoid a rapid resurgence of the virus,” Ms Sturgeon said.
“It is not an exaggeration to say decisions now are a matter of life and death.
“That is why they weigh so very, very heavily and why they must be taken with great care, and it is why as I take them I will continue to err on the side of caution.”
The first minister said it was Boris Johnson’s “right” to move at a faster pace for England but she must make judgements “informed by the evidence that are right and safe for Scotland”.
“The other possible changes that are reported in the media, such as encouraging more people back to work now, opening beer gardens, or encouraging more use of public transport, would not in my judgement be safe for us to make yet,” she said.
Following Thursday’s call with Boris Johnson, Ms Sturgeon’s official spokesman said she had reiterated lockdown regulations in Scotland would remain in place and the only issue under consideration was in relation to outdoor exercise.
“The first minister also made clear that the stay at home message remained crucial,” he said.
“While no specific detail of the plans under consideration by the UK Government was shared, the prime minister confirmed that there would be further discussion ahead of a meeting of Cobra on Sunday.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who held virtual meetings with members of the public in Glasgow and Fife on Thursday, has called on Mr Johnson to build a consensus with the Scottish Government and other devolved administrations.
He said it was his “strong preference” decisions were taken across the UK as a whole, warning it would otherwise be difficult to police measures.
“It is very important that we build a national consensus about what happens next,” Sir Keir said. “It does mean that the prime minister has got to involve the devolved nations, trade unions, civic society and opposition parties in a very meaningful way.”
