Coronavirus: Nicola Sturgeon says ‘Do not be complacent’ over Easter

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has once more urged individuals to remain at dwelling over the Easter weekend.

She stated that might be tough for everybody, as Easter is generally a time to see mates and get out and about.

Ms Sturgeon stated: “None of that might be doable this yr.”

She warned towards individuals changing into complacent concerning the coronavirus lockdown measures and stated the dangers of breaking them by visiting mates or kin over Easter had been “huge”.

“They aren’t dangers price taking,” she advised her media briefing in Edinburgh.

“The one time you ignore this steering might be the time you get contaminated with this virus, otherwise you move it on with out figuring out.

“So please do not throw away all the great work of the final three weeks, and do not put your self or your family members in danger.

“All of us should do the proper factor. On daily basis we do brings us nearer to the flexibility to return to normality.”

• Coronavirus in Scotland – reside updates
• Lockdown home events ‘placing lives in danger’

The primary minister additionally stated it was price stressing that no one must be travelling for holidays in rural or island communities that are particularly susceptible to the impression of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Sturgeon advised her every day briefing that 495 individuals had been now identified to have died after testing constructive for Covid-19 in Scotland, up by 48 on yesterday.

She stated 1,832 individuals had been in hospital and 207 of these had been in intensive care.

Police Scotland chief constable Iain Livingstone advised the primary minister’s briefing that the “overwhelming majority of persons are persevering with to do the proper factor” by adhering to social distancing guidelines.

However the first minister stated she was anxious abut individuals tiring of the restrictions.

“All of us discover it tougher to adjust to these guidelines with every single day that passes,” she stated. “Even in Scotland, with Scottish climate, that may get tougher as we go into Spring and the nights get lighter.”

Ms Sturgeon reiterated that individuals wouldn’t be requested to watch restrictions “for one minute longer than we expect vital”.

“However in the mean time, we expect it’s vital, and important,” she added. “This virus hasn’t gone away.”

The Met Workplace forecast most components of the nation will expertise dry, cloudy situations over the weekend with temperatures reaching the mid-teens at greatest.

Nationwide Scientific Director Prof Jason Leitch stated individuals ought to solely journey for important causes similar to shopping for groceries, healthcare, caring duties or vital work.

He additionally emphasised the significance of remaining energetic by figuring out indoors, strolling, operating or biking near dwelling for as much as an hour.

In the meantime, a human rights lawyer has been appointed to steer impartial scrutiny of Covid-19 emergency police powers.

John Scott QC has been commissioned by Chief Constable Iain Livingstone to evaluation Police Scotland’s use of latest emergency powers to answer the pandemic.

Mr Livingstone stated the lawyer would make sure the drive’s use of the brand new powers had been “completely and independently scrutinised”.

Mr Scott welcomed the invitation, which he stated is available in “distinctive and tough occasions”, and stated it highlighted the significance in Scotland of policing by consent.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf stated the choice confirmed “forward-thinking” by the UK’s second-largest police drive.

He added: “Police Scotland is enjoying a essential function in responding to public considerations and in making certain social distancing in our communities as a way to safeguard well being, defend the NHS and save lives.”