Coronavirus / First minister urges public to stay at home over Easter
WITH THE Easter weekend in sight, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has re-emphasised the importance of continuing to adhere to the tough movement restrictions that have been in place for more than two weeks.
During her daily press briefing on Thursday, and ahead of taking online questions from all opposition party leaders at Holyrood, Sturgeon also said that a further 81 deaths of people with coronavirus had been recorded over the last 24 hours.
The total number of people who have died of Covid-19, or where it has contributed to a death, has risen to 447 in Scotland.
The total (and accumulative) number of confirmed cases in Scotland has meanwhile risen to 4,957 with Shetland’s figure of 43 remaining unchanged over the last 24 hours.
The real figure as to how many people in Scotland have been affected by coronavirus over the last weeks is not known, but it has been suggested that this figure could be as high as 400,000.
Sturgeon said on Thursday: “Since we are about to enter the Easter weekend, I want to conclude with a strong re-emphasis of the vital importance of everyone following the movement restrictions and stay at home except for the permitted purposes.
“I know how hard it is for people to do that, and seems to be even harder of this Easter weekend, especially for families with children. And for older people who would normally spend time with their grandchildren.
“Please stay in touch with family, friends and loved ones in whatever alternative way best works for you.
“Please follow the rules and stay at home over Easter. By doing that all of us can help slow down the spread of this virus; we can help to protect national health service, but we can also help to save lives.”
The first minister concluded by thanking everybody for “doing the right thing” over the coming days.
NorthLink Ferries, meanwhile, has also urged people to only travel if absolutely necessary.
Serco’s managing director of NorthLink Ferries Stuart Garrett said: “We are currently running an essential lifeline service between the Scottish Mainland and Orkney and Shetland.
“As the Easter weekend approaches, please do not travel, stay at home and help to stop the spread of Covid-19.
“We would like to thank our passengers for their understanding and co-operation at this time and look forward to welcoming them back on board in the future. Please stay safe and well and, again, please do not travel unless you have an absolute need to do so.”
Shetland Police’s area commander chief inspector Lindsay Tulloch has meanwhile written to all of the isles’ community councils to remind people of the rules around social distancing.
He said the “vast majority” of local residents are adhering to requirements and “clearly understand the risks to public health”.
“Unfortunately there are a number who are not and are still making unnecessary journeys in contravention of the legislation,” Tulloch wrote.
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