By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

On Monday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said at a media briefing that enhanced surveillance has identified 6 cases of the Omicron variant in Scotland so far – 4 of these are in Lanarkshire and 2 in Greater Glasgow & Clyde.

Scotland map/CIA

Contact tracing of these cases is still ongoing. However, at this stage, they say that not all of them have any recent travel history to, or known links with others who have travelled to, the countries in Southern Africa where the variant was originally detected, suggesting there might already be some community transmission of this variant in Scotland.

Scotland has already reintroduced some travel restrictions. Minister Sturgeon noted even with evidence of community transmission locally, these travel measures are important.

United Kingdom reports first cases of Omicron variant

“So at this stage, we are asking people, everyone across the country, to significantly step up and increase compliance with all existing precautions – face coverings, hygiene like washing hands and surfaces, getting vaccinated and of course testing yourselves regularly with lateral flow devices and, from now on, testing yourself before mixing socially with people from other households.

‘We are also reminding people to work from home if possible. As of today, I’m asking employers to make sure they are maximising the potential of home working.”