FMQs: Lockdown will not be eased after Easter weekend warns Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon took part in a "virtual" First Minister's Questions

Ms Sturgeon took part in a virtual First Minister’s Questions session with opposition leaders today. She announced a further 81 deaths in Scotland, taking the total across the country up to 447.

The SNP leader revealed that she held talks with her fellow First Ministers from other devolved nations today, along with London mayor Sadiq Khan, on the restrictions on public movement.

Ms Sturgeon came under pressure from opposition leaders over protective equipment for frontline workers after the Scottish Government agreed to withdraw controversial “supplementary” guidance from Scotland’s chief nursing officer on the use of masks.

A COBRA meeting with UK Government ministers this afternoon, featuring the First Minister, will consider the lockdown, amid indications that the curve of new cases may be flattening UK-wide.

Ms Sturgeon said: “I don’t want these measures to be in place for a single minute longer than they have to be.

“But, equally I don’t want us to come out of them prematurely in way that will do damage, that will see the virus spiral out of control, see our NHS potentially overwhelmed and see more lives lost.

“So it’s right and proper that we stick with it for as long as necessary.

“I want to be clear with people because there’s a lot of media speculation – there is no likelihood or prospect of these measures being lifted after the Easter weekend.”

She said next week’s COBRA meeting may begin to look at a possible “exit strategy” from the lockdown measures.

But she added: “It is likely that the restrictions and measures in place are likely to be in place for several weeks to come yet.

“I would appeal to people to stick with this. We’re not asking people to change their lives in such a fundamental way for no reason.

“I don’t want to be doing it, but it is vital for the health reasons I think we all understand.”