Thread by @theSNP

First Minister @NicolaSturgeon: "Good morning,

I am joined by the Chief Medical Officer.

Today’s full Covid statistics will be published later on.

However, I can confirm that the overall situation in Scotland remains stable at this stage."

NS: "We knew though that the weeks ahead would present real risks to this stability.

Colder weather forcing us indoors. Festive socialising. And a deteriorating situation in many countries across Europe."

NS: "However, over the past few days a new risk has emerged in the form of the Omicron variant.

It is that we want to update you on today."

NS: "I will set out what we know so far about the new variant - though I stress that there is still much that we and the rest of the world do not know about it."

NS: "I will give the most up to date information we have on cases identified so far in Scotland - though I expect that this will be a developing situation in the days ahead.

I will set out the actions we have considered it appropriate to take so far on a precautionary basis."

NS: "And I will remind everyone what we can all do - must do - to help contain the spread of the virus in general and this new variant in particular."

NS: "Firstly, what do we know at this stage?

The most important point to make - underlined in a briefing issued by the WHO last night - is that there is still a huge amount that we do not know about this variant."

NS: "The number of mutations that it has - and the nature of these - and some of the very early indications from Southern Africa have raised the concern that it might be more transmissible than the Delta variant which is currently dominant in Scotland."

NS: "However, much more data and analysis is required to be certain of this and, if it is more transmissible, to understand by how much.

Further work is also needed to confirm what impact it might have on the effectiveness of vaccines and the risk of re-infection."

NS: "The WHO said yesterday that preliminary evidence suggests there might be an increased risk of re-infection but stressed that information at this stage is still limited."

NS: "It also said that there is currently no information to suggest that the symptoms from Omicron are any different to those from other variants."

NS: "In other words, although more data is still required, there is no evidence at this stage to suggest that the disease caused by Omicron is more severe."

NS: "The days and weeks ahead will tell us much more about the nature of this variant and its implications for our response to the pandemic.

What we do know at this stage, though, confirms that we should treat it seriously, and act on a precautionary basis."

NS: "While we all hope the emerging understanding of it will reduce rather than increase our level of concern, there is no doubt that it presents - potentially - the most challenging development in the course of the pandemic for quite sometime."

NS: "Let me turn now to the situation in Scotland.

We have stepped up our surveillance in recent days and I want to thank public health teams for the work they are doing to ensure that we can detect cases quickly."

NS: "As we confirmed earlier today, that enhanced surveillance has identified 6 cases of the Omicron variant in Scotland so far - 4 in Lanarkshire and 2 in Greater Glasgow & Clyde."

NS: "It is important to stress that the contact tracing is still ongoing. But, at this stage, we know that not all of them have any recent travel history to or known links with others who travelled to the countries in Southern Africa where the variant was originally detected."

NS: "This suggests that there may already be some community transmission of this variant in Scotland but let me stress that there is no evidence yet that this is sustained - nor any evidence from the enhanced surveillance that it is widespread at this stage."

NS: "However, evidence of even limited community transmission underlines the importance of increasing our compliance with protections in place.

And I will turn now to the actions we have taken."

NS: "We have already reintroduced some travel restrictions – even with evidence of community transmission, these are important and I will say more about them shortly - but given that Omicron is already present in Scotland..."

NS: "..we also need to consider very carefully what steps are necessary and proportionate to reduce transmission here."

NS: "Some protections that the UK Government has announced in recent days in relation to England - for example a requirement to wear face coverings in some settings – are already in place, and in fact more extensive, here in Scotland."

NS: "At this stage, we are asking people to significantly step up and increase compliance with all existing precautions - face coverings, hygiene, getting vaccinated and regular testing.

We are also reminding people to work from home if possible."

NS: "As of today, employers should ensure that they are maximising home working.

However, this may be a fast-moving situation - so our response will be kept under close review as we learn more about the risk Omicron poses, and the nature of its transmission within Scotland."

NS: "A key part of our initial response, however, will be to identify cases as quickly as we can and, where possible, break chains of transmission.

To that end, additional testing will be undertaken in areas where cases have been identified."

NS: "Our local response will complement the UK-wide travel restrictions that aim to avoid importing new cases of the variant, while we are trying to curb community transmission."

NS: "Even with cases already here, it is important to do what we can to prevent new seeding of the variant."

NS: "So in line with the rest of the UK, we have reinstated the red list of countries, and to date 10 countries from southern Africa have been added to that red list."

NS: "Anybody travelling back to Scotland from those 10 countries must enter managed quarantine for 10 days on their arrival."

NS: "In addition, anyone arriving in Scotland from anywhere outside the common travel area, will be asked to take a PCR Covid test on the second day of their arrival, and self-isolate until they get the result of that test back."

NS: "We know, however, that the incubation period for this virus is very often more than 2 days.

So our view is that it would be sensible on a precautionary basis for these travel rules to be tightened further.

That view is shared by the Welsh Government."

NS: "I had a call yesterday with the Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, and he and I have written a joint letter to the Prime Minister."

NS: "We are proposing a tougher four-nations approach to travel restrictions at this stage that would see people arriving in the UK from overseas asked to self-isolate for eight days. In our proposal, they would take a PCR test on day eight of their arrival, as well as on day 2."

NS: "We believe that this measure would be more effective in identifying cases of the Omicron variant which result from overseas travel, and therefore at preventing further community transmission from imported cases."

NS: "As we know from earlier stages of the pandemic, with so many people travelling to Scotland and Wales via airports in England, anything less than a 4 nations approach to requirements like this will be ineffective. We therefore hope that a 4 nations agreement can be reached."

NS: "A four-nations approach requires that the four nations discuss these issues together, and hear the best advice available."

NS: "That is why Mark Drakeford and I are also calling on the Prime Minister to immediately convene a COBR meeting - with representation from each nation - to discuss how we work together to tackle this variant."

NS: "Mark Drakeford and I are also conscious of the very real concern businesses and staff will feel at the possibility of further protections becoming necessary."

NS: "We all hope this will not be necessary but it is prudent to plan ahead, and so we have sought confirmation that - should any further protections be necessary - Treasury funding will be available to any of the four nations that requires to activate business support schemes."

NS: "Given the serious tone and content of my statement today, I want to stress this.

It is always important in the face of new developments in this virus to prepare for the worst.

But that does not mean we are not still hoping for the best. We are."

NS: "I very much hope that additional protections can be avoided. We will seek to act at all times in a proportionate manner."

NS: "I want to end by stressing what we can all do. Vaccination remains our most important line of defence. We had already outlined last week that the Scottish Government was working to accelerate the vaccination programme."

NS: "We will now step up those efforts even more.

We're expecting a statement later today from the JCVI confirming its advice on vaccination."

NS: "The Scottish Government is getting ready to operationalise any new recommendations from the JCVI - for example in relation to the interval of booster jags, or the range of people who can receive the booster - as quickly as is possible."

NS: "It is important to remember that even if - and I want to stress that it is still an if - if vaccines do prove to be less effective against this new variant, vaccination will still be important.

Less effective does not mean ineffective."

NS: "If anything, in fact, the new variant makes it more important – not less important – to get all doses of vaccine.

Over the weekend, 40-49 year olds became able to book boosters through NHS Inform.

Older age groups can already do so."

NS: "So if you are 40 or over, go to the website, and book a booster for when you are due.

And if you haven’t yet had your first or second doses, please book them now."

NS: "The Scottish government will consider carefully in the coming days whether any further actions are required, as we get more information about the impact of Omicron, and the extent of its presence in Scotland."

NS: "But the point I want to stress now is that the same measures that worked against previous strains of this virus, will also help us curb transmission of this new variant."

NS: "So if in recent weeks you’ve been sticking a bit less strictly to the public health advice, which is entirely understandable, now is the time to start following it rigorously again.

Every one of us can make a difference in protecting ourselves and each other."

NS: "So let me end with a reminder of what everyone can do.

These steps are now vital. Please do not see them as optional.

First of all, get vaccinated."

NS: "It's the single most important thing we can do to protect each other.

Secondly, test for Covid regularly. Over the coming days, we’ll be providing mobile testing units in areas where the new variant has been identified."

NS: "But for all of us, wherever we are, regular lateral flow testing is a really important way of finding out whether we might have the virus."

NS: "So on any occasion that you intend to socialise, or mix with people from other households - whether that is in a pub, restaurant, house or shopping centre - do an LFD test. You can order testing kits online, or pick them up from local pharmacies or testing centres."

NS: "And finally, comply with the existing protections.

Wear face coverings on public transport, in shops, and when moving about in hospitality settings.

Keep windows open to improve ventilation.

Follow all advice on hygiene.

And work from home if you can."

NS: "The Economy Secretary will be meeting business organisations later this afternoon. She will stress again that home working when possible will help us get through the winter more safely.

The discovery of the new variant makes these measures more important than ever."

NS: "They will make a difference. And by sticking with them, we give ourselves the best possible chance of enjoying a more normal Christmas, and a safer Christmas. And hopefully, avoiding the need for any tighter protections in the weeks to come."

NS: "Please, let's all of us make sure we up our compliance right now. This is a concerning development right now, but we if we take it as a reminder not to let our guard slip, then I hope we can protect the stronger position that we had already got ourselves into."

NS: "So please, get vaccinated, get tested, and comply with the protections in place. Thank you to everybody for doing all of these things, and for what I know everybody will be seeking to do in the weeks ahead."