Nicola Sturgeon confirms coronavirus lockdown remains in place
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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed the four nations of the UK have agreed the coronavirus lockdown will not be lifted over Easter.
Speaking at her regular St Andrew's House briefing this afternoon, Ms Sturgeon noted the agreement of all the UK leaders yesterday.
She also made it clear that Police Scotland is ready to enforce the law on the lockdown but she sought to encourage people to remain inside instead.
She was joined at today's briefing by Police Scotland's Chief Constable Iain Livingstone.
Mrs Sturgeon said: “At the moment we simply do not have enough evidence on the impact of the restrictions to have the confidence to state when we could start to come out of them.
“As that evidence becomes available we will be able to review the situation, but for now the message remains exactly the same as it has been – people need to stay at home.
“I know how difficult that is and I know how difficult that will be, particularly over this Easter weekend.
"Ordinarily that is a time to see friends and family or a time to get out and about or even take a short break.
“None of that is possible this year and so, for all of us, I know that this weekend will be especially tough.
"However, I am confident that the vast majority of people across Scotland will continue to comply with these rules.”
Chief Constable Livingstone said: "We have been required to take enforcement action in limited situations.
"Thus far across the whole of the country we have issued over 500 fixed penalty notices. This has typically been during incidents where people do not comply with instructions, even after being spoken to by officers – for example, house parties or gatherings in public where those involved refused to disperse.
"However, overall compliance has been very high in Scotland and I thank the public for their overwhelming cooperation and the commitment of our officers and staff."
