Nicola Sturgeon savaged for ‘petty’ five-tier coronavirus lockdown system ‘It’s confusing’ | UK | News (Reports)

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During the coronavirus briefing, Ms Sturgeon unveiled her system which separates itself from the UK Government’s own three-tier system. Despite Ms Sturgeon stating the new system will enable a nationwide approach to be taken, Scottish Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Andrew Bowie, claimed the approach is unnecessary. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Mr Bowie stated there “is no reason” for the First Minister to diverge from the rest of the UK.

He added: “It seems to me, a case of difference for the sake of being different.

“I would describe it as pettiness in terms of having to be different from the rest of the country.

“It’s going to cause confusion and actually hamper our fight to combat coronavirus when actually we need to be on the same page.”

Within Ms Sturgeon’s system, the three middle tiers will be broadly similar to what is currently being used in England.

Under Level 0, people would be able to meet indoors with eight people from three different households.

The other differing level to that seen in England, Level 4, would be closer to a full country-wide lockdown.

However, Mr Bowie claimed there was no reason to create two separate levels to diverge away from England’s system.

He added: “I mean, there is absolutely no reason or rationale to create a wholly new five-tier system when England, the largest country in the UK has a three-tier system.

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She also stated the measures will be reviewed weekly in order to assess their effectiveness.

According to the Scottish Government’s data, 1,401 cases were reported in the last 24 hours – the total stands at 54,016.

A further 18 deaths were reported taking the total to 2,688.

Commenting on the system, Ms Sturgeon said she did not hope to go back to a situation similar to March. 

She said: “”We do not envisage returning to a situation as severe as the first lockdown imposed back in late March.

“We are not back at square one, we have made progress in tackling the virus and we have more tools at our disposal to help control it.”

Commenting on Mr Bowie’s fears in Friday’s press conference, Ms Sturgeon said: “We’ve decided on two additional levels because we feel we need to target a lower level in order to the public to have something to aspire to.

“We need a level at the top because officials in the UK did not deem it high enough. 

“It’s not trying to be different for the sake of it but that it gives us something to cover the range of scenarios.”

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