Nicola Sturgeon is urging some 13,000 people at the greatest clinical risk of succumbing to covid-19 who have not yet had both vaccine doses to get vaccinated if they can.

Meanwhile, people on the high-risk shielding list are to be provided with new advice this week in a letter from Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, and will also be asked what additional support they now need.

In a statement to a reconvened session of the Scottish Parliament, Nicola Sturgeon said that, while the whole of the country will move to ‘Level 0’ from next Monday, face coverings will remain mandatory “not just now but, in all likelihood, for some time to come”.

Late last week disabled people, unpaid carers and advocacy charities wrote to the First Minister urging her not to follow the UK government’s approach to lifting restrictions, including ending the requirement for masks to be worn on public transport and in shops.

Ms Sturgeon said, while the majority of people will be relieved that vaccination is allowing the cautious easing of restrictions, despite the impact of the delta variant, for some it will be a source of anxiety:

“It is important to stress that measures like the continued wearing of face coverings are important, not just to give added protection to the population as a whole but also to give protection and assurance to those amongst us who are particularly vulnerable and who previously had to shield.

“Lifting all restrictions and mitigations right now would put all of us at greater risk but, in particular, it would make it much more difficult for the most clinically vulnerable to go about their normal lives.

"It would risk the imposition of shielding by default and, in my view, that is not something we should do.”

Addressing those at the highest clinical risk, many of whom previously shielded, Ms Sturgeon said:

“I know that many of you feel anxious about any easing of restrictions, particularly if you can’t have the vaccine or if you have conditions or are on treatment that suppress your immune system.

“The Scottish Government is very aware of that.

“We will not abandon you.

“For as long as necessary, we will ask people to take sensible precautions like the wearing of face coverings to allow you, like everyone else, to enjoy more normal life again.”

The First Minister made a direct appeal to those most vulnerable to ensure they are fully vaccinated:

“We know that that there are around 13,000 people at high clinical risk who haven’t yet had both doses of the vaccine.

“So, if you are one of them, and if you are able to get vaccinated, please do so.”

Read more: In full: Pleas for caution from at risk Scots; Care home fears over rising community infections; Scotland shielding list expansion being considered.

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