Coronavirus Scotland: Jason Leitch admits ‘circuit breaker’ considered by Nicola Sturgeon may not be effective

TOP Scottish Government pandemic official Jason Leitch today admitted the mini-lockdown being considered by Nicola Sturgeon might not be very effective.

The national clinical director warned of the limitations of a co-called “circuit breaker” as he warned it could be brought in as a “kind of pain for gain” to slow the spread of the virus.

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He was speaking hours before the First Minister said she would “not hesitate” to take “further action” in the next fortnight if she deemed it necessary.

But Prof Leitch cast doubt on the effectiveness of the circuit-breaker measure, which leaked government papers last week showed could include two-week stay-at-home order to tie in with schools’ half terms, with limits on travel.

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The health chief said: "The problem is the science seems to suggest it works best if your R is only just above one, because it gives you a little boost to get it below one.

"We're worried we're a little bit higher than that, so that needs a little bit of modelling and a little bit of work, because there is less point in going from 1.7 to 1.5 then there would be from going from 1.1. to 0.8, for instance. You can see why that would be more advantageous."

Prof Leitch’s comments came as Nicola Sturgeon postponed “routemap” changes which had been pencilled in for October 5, having been delayed from September 14.

Ms Sturgeon also announced latest figures to parliament, with 668 new cases in a day, and hospital admissions up 15 to 154 - a rise of 70 in a week.

She said there were 17 people with Covid in intensive care, up two in a day, and three more deaths had been recorded

Ms Sturgeon said: “These figures also explain why I will confirm to the chamber today, as I give an indication of last week, that we are postponing the routemap changes, for which we had previously given an indicative date of October 5. 

“I hope members will agree that it would not be sensible to ease restrictions that are still in place while infection rates are rising, and we are working to bring them back down. 

“We will review these restrictions again by October 15. 

“However, if we see further action before that to curb the spread of the virus we will not hesitate to do so but of course we will report that to parliament.”

The changes postponed beyond October 5 mean indoor sports courts – including skating and dance studios – still cannot be used by adults and young people aged 12 and over for contact sports. 

The other premises and activities that are not allowed to open or take place are sports stadiums, children’s soft plays, outdoor live events, certain indoor live events, indoor entertainment venues such as theatres.

Separate to the list delayed from October 5, there are still no planned dates for the general re-opening of non-essential offices and call centres, and indoor concerts or nightclubs.

The Scottish Government say that “working from home and working flexibly” remain “the default”.

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