CLYDEBANK will remain under Level 3 coronavirus restrictions for at least another week, the First Minister has announced.

Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs on Tuesday afternoon that there would be no change to the Covid-19 protection measures in place across West Dunbartonshire.

Clydebank’s MSP, Gil Paterson, told the Post: “Although we are making progress we are not there yet.

“However, the Clydebank public have been working hard to get the numbers down.

“Most people also know how fast the numbers can go up if we don’t stick by the guidance as has been seen elsewhere, so I am pleased that people have been responding well and I hope their good work pays off soon.”

As of December 11, the latest date for which figures are available, West Dunbartonshire had had 72 confirmed positive tests for Covid-19 in seven days, representing 4 per cent of the local population – slightly lower than the Scotland-wide figure.

Over the past two weeks, West Dunbartonshire Council leader Jonathan McColl has urged officials to lower the restrictions to Level 2 based on the lower weekly statistics for the area.

Speaking before Ms Sturgeon addressed MSPs on Tuesday, he said: “I cannot thank our communities enough for the efforts they have made as our figures continue to be lower than most areas in the central belt.

“Unfortunately it seems that the wider context of cases across the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area mean that we cannot yet be moved to level two.

“The Scottish Government have been clear that they wish to bring the level of infection down as low as possible before household visiting restrictions are relaxed over Christmas.

“It is particularly important that we don’t travel to other areas for non-essential activities such as shopping etc; doing so will risk reversing the progress we have made.

“I would urge everyone to remain cautious and enjoy Christmas with family and friends in as safe a way as possible.”

Damon Scott, chief executive of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce said: “Many of our businesses were given a welcome boost with the First Minister’s recent announcement that the area will drop down into Tier 3 .

“Our local businesses have worked incredibly hard to protect their staff and their customers from risk of infection.

“The priority has to be to protect lives, but decisions need to be based on evidence and businesses offer some of the safest environments for controlling transmission.”