Covid-19: Stick to core message of ‘Stay at Home’ in Scotland, says Milngavie MSP

From today, people will be able to go out more than once a day to exercise, but with members of their households or alone.

The core message of Stay at Home and social distancing rules still apply.

The change does not allow people to mix with people from different households, to gather in groups, or to go out to relax outdoors.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon agreed the change following scientific advice using the framework set out by the Scottish Government last month. It was agreed that the timing was right to make the change because the impact on the vital R number – the rate of reinfection of COVID-19 – would be very limited.

Mr Paterson, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, said: “I am glad to see the beginning of an easing of restrictions in Scotland – this is our path back to normality so many people crave.

“There has been some confused messaging from the UK as a whole but I urge constituents to heed the words of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

“The last thing we want to do is squander the hard work the public has put into reducing the virus numbers and see an avoidable outbreak.

“The changes will be monitored carefully and looked at again in order to test how effective they have been in combating the infection spread.

“Until then, I urge constituents to stick by the core message of ‘Stay at Home’ and help protect the NHS as we battle this pandemic.”