Sturgeon: Scotland needs to get some normality back

Nicola Sturgeon has hinted that some lockdown restrictions could be eased next week.

Since schools and businesses were shut down and ‘stay at home’ advice came into force eight weeks ago, the only change has been to allow people outside to exercise more than once a day.

The First Minister said Scots “need to get some normality back” and added that “minor changes” could be announced next week.

But she insisted the Scottish Government would follow the evidence and scientific advice.

In England, restrictions were significantly relaxed this week, with people being encouraged to return to work if possible.

Speaking at her daily briefing in Edinburgh, Sturgeon said: “We can’t live like this forever, so we need to get some normality back as we continue to suppress the virus.”

She added: “Even when we can’t yet give firm dates on when things will open up again, at least we will seek to share with you the order of priority and further phasing.

“Next week I will share with you more information on the assessments we are making and the range of options we are now looking at, and also any further minor changes we might make in the short term.”

Sturgeon stressed any easing of the rules would be done “on a very careful and gradual basis”.

The First Minister said: “When we know lives are at stake, and we have learned that over every day over these past seven or eight weeks as I have stood up up here day in and day out, and read out the numbers of people who have died, we do know that lives are at stake with this virus.

“For as long as that continues to be the case I am going to continue to err on the side of caution, err on the side of saving lives and reducing the number of people who might die unnecessarily.”