Police Scotland to increase patrols as UK goes into coronavirus lockdown

New legislation will come into place later this week.

Police Scotland will increase patrols in key areas around Scotland to enforce a coronavirus lockdown announced last night.

“Coronavirus is the biggest challenge of our lifetimes,” said First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said in an address outlining the strict new measures.

Under the lockdown, people are not allowed to leave their homes except once a day to buy essentials like food and medicine, or to exercise – again once a day and alone.

Police patrols will be increased.

Gatherings or more than two people are banned, non-essential shops will be closed and employees will only be able to travel to do ‘essential’ work.

Weddings and christenings have been banned, and funerals are to be limited to immediate family only.

Emergency coronavirus legislation passed later this week will give police powers to enforce these restrictions.

“We are fully behind the new measures announced by the UK and Scottish Governments to increase social distancing, and I urge and expect everyone to comply with them,” said Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM.

“We are aware of the proposed legislation in relation to coronavirus and are carefully considering the implications in this very fast moving situation, which presents the gravest of threats to the nation.