Nicola Sturgeon says she understands the new restrictions are 'heartbreaking' and would take an alternative in a 'heartbeat' if there was one

The First Minister said today in the daily coronavirus briefing that she wished she didn’t have to make these decisions and is ‘well aware of the impact’ they have on people across Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister

Ms Sturgeon said: “I know they were horrible decisions for all of you to have to hear. I am well aware of the impact.”

She added that she knows the restrictions are particularly difficult for businesses like retailers and those in the hospitality sector.

She continued: “When I went home from here on Saturday night after doing the update I spent a fair bit of time reading many of the emails I had received, I think it is important for me to do that, and they were from people, many completely understanding of the need for these decisions, but who wanted me to know the impact on them, and on their families, and it is heartbreaking for so many of you, and I want you to know that I do understand that.

"And if I thought there was an alternative to any of these decisions that we are taking right now, I would take that alternative in a heartbeat.”

The First Minister continued on to say: “The consequences of not acting now to stop this virus could be catastrophic.

“So, I am genuinely sorry to have to do these things, but believe me when I say they are necessary. We can't take the risk of allowing this new variant to spread as rapidly in Scotland as it appears to be doing in some other parts of the UK.”

A message from the Editor:Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.