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'Fragile moment' in coronavirus fight 'Stay at home' is still key, Sturgeon insists
(32 minutes later)
The Scottish government's national clinical director has said advice remains "very cautious" about any easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said stay at home remains her "clear message" to Scotland.
Prof Jason Leitch was speaking on BBC Breakfast after reports of a change in messaging from the UK government. It comes after reports of a change in coronavirus messaging from the UK government to "stay alert".
He said it was still "too early" to think about any "major changes". The first minister said the Sunday papers had been the first place she had seen the new slogan.
Prof Leitch added that it was "quite clear" that the key message in Scotland was "stay at home". However, she said that given the "critical point" which had been reached in tackling the virus her message was still to stay at home and save lives.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to unveil a new slogan, telling the public to "stay alert, control the virus, save lives".Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to unveil a new slogan, telling the public to "stay alert, control the virus, save lives".
No explanation Health secretary Jeane Freeman told BBC Politics Scotland the Scottish government had not been consulted on it and she had "no idea" what it meant.
Prof Leitch said that he was not in a position to explain that advice. "We have not been consulted on the possibility of any change and, as it has been reported, that is not a change that we would agree with," she said.
“I can’t explain what it means, we haven’t seen it - we don’t know what the UK government is going to say for the response in England," he said. "I think the first minister was really clear last week that the 'Stay At Home' message is the right message and, if I am perfectly frank, I have no idea what 'Stay Alert' actually means."
“I can tell you that the first minister and I earlier in the week at one of our press briefings made it very clear that we think – certainly in Scotland – it is too early to think about any major changes. The Scottish government's national clinical director Prof Jason Leitch has also said advice remains "very cautious" about any easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
“The first minister was quite clear that the key message remains stay at home and I then reiterated exactly that." He told BBC Breakfast it was still "too early" to think about any "major changes".
Prof Leitch added that it was "quite clear" that the key message in Scotland was "stay at home".
He described it as a "very, very fragile moment" and a time to exercise "maximum caution" as the public had done "astonishingly well" at reducing viral transmission by staying at home.He described it as a "very, very fragile moment" and a time to exercise "maximum caution" as the public had done "astonishingly well" at reducing viral transmission by staying at home.
“The best protection for this virus is your front door – there isn’t any question about that," he said. "The best protection for this virus is your front door - there isn't any question about that," he said.
“Until the numbers are really low and we understand where it is and we can control outbreaks and we can do our test, trace, isolate systems across the four nations we are still very cautious. "Until the numbers are really low and we understand where it is and we can control outbreaks and we can do our test, trace, isolate systems across the four nations we are still very cautious.
“I am not the decision-maker, I am one of the many advisers, so the advice is cautious. "I am not the decision-maker, I am one of the many advisers, so the advice is cautious.
“The decision-makers in the four countries will then make choices.” "The decision-makers in the four countries will then make choices."
He said speculation about any changes to lockdown was unhelpful but it was a question of taking "baby steps".He said speculation about any changes to lockdown was unhelpful but it was a question of taking "baby steps".
Prof Leitch added that it was also possible there would be small differences between how different countries moved forward.Prof Leitch added that it was also possible there would be small differences between how different countries moved forward.
“I can see a scenario where we may take the pace at a slightly different rate," he said. "I can see a scenario where we may take the pace at a slightly different rate," he said.
However, he said he did not think there would be any "massive differences" across the UK.However, he said he did not think there would be any "massive differences" across the UK.