MP welcomes move to UK COVID Alert Level 3 but warns against complacency
Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has welcomed the move today (10 May) to the UK COVID-19 Alert Level from level 4 to level 3 agreed by all 4 UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs).
The Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) advises the UK’s CMOs on the COVID-19 alert level across all 4 nations of the UK. Any recommendation to change the alert level is reported to the CMOs, who make the final decision and advise ministers.
The COVID-19 alert level is informed by a range of indicators and a combination of public health data, statistical modelling and studies, and will be kept under constant review.
Following a review of the JBC, all four CMOs across the UK, Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Dr Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton, and NHS England National Medical Director, Professor Stephen Powis have agreed the UK Alert level should move from 4 to 3. In Level 3, the virus is thought to be in general circulation, but transmission is no longer rising exponentially.
This alert level should not be confused with COVID-19 protection levels in Scotland. Scotland remains in Level 3 for covid protection which determines the restrictions in place for socialising, travel and work.
Scottish Conservative MP for Banff and Buchan David Duguid said:
“The reduction in the COVID alert level is a very welcome indication that we are defeating he virus and continuing our cautious recovery from the pandemic.
“This is largely due to the hard work and sacrifices of the British public in sticking to the rules and the fantastic, coordinated vaccine rollout across the whole UK with the help of our NHS and British armed forces.
“The reduced level of alert - agreed by all CMOs across the UK - indicates that transmission of the virus is no longer rising exponentially.
“However, this reduced alert level still shows that the virus is still in general circulation. In Moray just over the border from Banff and Buchan, we have seen increases in cases.
“We should take that as a reminder not to become complacent, stick with the local rules in your area and continue to work together to beat this virus.”
