Nicola Sturgeon plea for 'collective national effort' after virus rule-breaking

Nicola Sturgeon has issued a direct appeal for a "collective national effort" among Scots in the battle to keep Coronavirus under control.

Nicola Sturgeon appealed for national effort

The First Minister today defended her decision to ease restrictions on a sun-baked weekend which saw hundreds of Scots appear to flout the new relaxed regime. The SNP leader has already warned that new emergency laws could be passed at Holyrood to crackdown on rule-breakers, with Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf hinting today police could begin enforcing the five-mile restriction on travel.

Ms Sturgeon said during her daily Coronavirus briefing today that all Scots must play their part in a "collective national effort" to defeat the virus.

"Each and every one of us has a part to play in that effort and it remains the case that the best way in which all of us can show solidarity with each other is by sticking to the rules and the public health guidance."

She added: "You should still be staying at home most of the time right now and you still be meeting fewer people than normal.

"I ask all of you to consider whether you're life feels as if it is back to normal. I'm sure that's not the case, but if it is, perhaps you should ask yourself whether you are following all of the public health advice."

She stressed that Scots must stay outdoors and two metres apart from other people in other households.

She also dismissed claims today that one metre is sufficient distance.

"The clear and strong advice from the Scottish Government is to stay two metres apart from those in other households."

The advice not to meet up with more than one other household at a time, was also stressed by the First Minister.

And she warned: "Please keep to a maximum and I stress a maximum of eight people in a group."

The First Minister spoke as the number of hospital cases rose by 122 to 1168, although confirmed cases are down by 23.

There were 34 people in intensive care, up by seven, and an additional 12 deaths overnight.

Scots who experience symptoms to arrange a test immediately to ensure the national "Test and Protect" system is a success.

"The truth is that our success or failure in suppressing this virus and keeping it suppressed will also depend on all of us as individual citizens and it will depend on our collective efforts as a society," the First Minister added

"We must all continue to do the right thing by each other by following all the rules and following all the public health guidance."

This will determines whether Scotland continues to suppress the virus or the country "goes backwards."

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