Thread by @theSNP

📺 Watch live: First Minister @NicolaSturgeon's daily press conference on #coronavirus (#COVIDー19).

Joining the First Minister today is Economy Secretary @FionaHyslop and National Clinical Director @jasonleitch.

https://twitter.com/scotgov/status/1281551152631422976?s=20

.@NicolaSturgeon: "I want to start by providing my usual update on the most recent Covid-19 statistics for Scotland.

An additional 18 positive cases were confirmed yesterday - that takes the total now in Scotland to 18,333."

NS: "A total of 668 patients are currently in hospital with the virus - either confirmed or suspected. Which is 22 more than yesterday, but that includes a reduction of 5 in the number of confirmed cases."

NS: "A total of 12 people last night were in intensive care with confirmed or suspected Covid-19. That is 3 more than yesterday- one of those is confirmed and the other 2 suspected."

NS: "And since 5 March, a total of 4,115 patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 have been able to leave hospital. I wish all of them well."

NS: "And I'm very pleased to report that during the last 24 hours, 0 deaths were registered of a patient confirmed through a test as having Covid-19. The total number of deaths therefore remains 2,490."

NS: "Once again, I want to pass on my condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one as a result of this virus.

And I also want to thank our health and care workers for the incredible work that you have done – and continue to do."

NS: "I am joined today by the Economy Secretary - who will talk in a few minutes about £38 million of support that the Scottish Government is providing for new companies, in crucial sectors of the economy, which have been affected by the pandemic."

NS: "Before that, I will go over some of the key changes that the Scottish Government has announced, which will take effect over this weekend."

NS: "As many of you will know, and have been eagerly anticipating, including myself, hairdressers can reopen again on the 15th. Detailed guidance for hairdressers - and also for other services, such as beauticians, which can reopen a week later - has now been published."

NS: "In addition, I announced yesterday that more people would be allowed to attend services for weddings, civil partnerships and funerals, but that these would be subject to a cap on numbers."

NS: "I can confirm that from Wednesday onwards, a maximum of 30 people will be able to attend a funeral, marriage or civil partnership, wherever it is taking place. We are also removing the restrictions on the categories of people who can attend funerals."

NS: "It’s maybe worth stressing two key points about those rules.

First, they apply only to services and ceremonies – other gatherings, such as wedding receptions and wakes, are still subject to the rules which apply for all other indoor and outdoor gatherings."

NS: "And secondly, the limit of people is still subject to strict rules on physical distancing - so if the venue cannot accommodate the limit when physical distancing rules are in place, the number of guests will be smaller."

NS: "I hope that this provides some clarity for anyone who has a wedding or civil partnership in the second half of July – or for anyone who, unfortunately, is having to arrange a funeral."

NS: "We know that the restrictions on funeral services, in particular, have been very tough – in many cases heartbreakingly so. I therefore hope that this change is a helpful one."

NS: "We also know, however, that the limit is still quite restrictive. At present, we consider it to be a necessary precaution – but the limit will be reviewed at the end of July."

NS: "I now want to briefly summarise the key changes which take effect from today.

First of all, it is now compulsory to wear a face covering in shops, as well as on public transport."

NS: "There are exemptions to this – for young children, people with certain health conditions and for staff in some circumstances.

For the vast majority of us, however, it is now the law that we wear face coverings in shops."

NS: "Some people ask why we are doing this now - when the virus has been suppressed. But the key reason, is that as we all go out and about more, that brings more risk of the virus spreading. So we have to put in place mitigations to reduce the risk of that happening."

NS: "The law coming into force today should not need to be enforced -but the police can issue fines if necessary.

However, I am asking you to stick to the law - not from fear of enforcement, but because it is the right thing to do."

NS: " I want wearing a face covering when you go to the shops, to become as automatic as putting on a seatbelt.

If you wear a face covering in a shop, or on public transport, it reduces your chances of passing the virus on to other people."

NS: " And other people – when they wear their face covering – reduce their chances of passing the virus on to you.

It is one of the ways in which we show solidarity for each other – and allow each other to live less restricted lives, without seeing a resurgence in the virus."

NS: "I understand people feeling uncomfortable wearing a mask, but I say this from personal experience, you get used to it and it becomes let uncomfortable the more you wear it."

NS: "It is one of the ways in which we show solidarity for each other – and allow each other to live less restricted lives, without seeing a resurgence in the virus. So I urge everyone to comply with this law.

This is a small thing we can do for them and for each other."

NS: "So please comply with this, not because the law tells you do, even although it does, but because it is about that solidarity and looking out for each other."

NS: "There are of course other rules which come into force from today, which affect how we can meet up with each other.

If you are shielding - from today, we are no longer asking you to physically distance from people you live with."

NS: "You will also be able to form an extended household if you live on your own or with children under the age of 18. I know how incredibly tough the last few months have been for people who are shielding – and I hope that these latest changes are helpful for many of you."

NS: "The other changes that come into effect today do not apply to people who are shielding, unfortunately. They do however apply to everyone else."

NS: "From today, children who are under the age of 12 will no longer have to physically distance – from other children or from adults – when they are indoors.

However, for adults and older children, 2 metre distancing remains the rule – both indoors and outdoors."

NS: "If you are part of a non-cohabiting couple - regardless of your living arrangements - you no longer need to stay physically distant, indoors or outdoors. If you have children who are under 18 in your households, they don’t need to physically distance from each other."

NS: "For everyone else, there are some important changes to the rules for meeting up. For outdoor meetings, a maximum of 15 people from up to 5 different households can now meet together.

And indoor gatherings are also now permitted."

NS: "These should involve a maximum of 8 adults, from up to 3 households in total. So if you are thinking of having people round, you can invite people from two other households."

NS: "As long as physical distancing between different households is maintained, this can include overnight stays."

NS: "However we recommend that in total, adults should not meet with people from more than 4 different households in any single day. So if you have an outdoor meeting with four other households in the afternoon, don’t then invite a couple of friends round in the evening."

NS: "The ability to meet indoors – even in small numbers - is a simple pleasure that has been very hard-earned. So enjoy it."

NS: "But please be careful, too. Remember why we have only started to allow indoor meetings now. It is because the risk of transmitting the virus indoors, is significantly higher than it is outdoors."

NS: "So, if you are able to meet outdoors – and if the weather allows – don’t rule that option out. It is still the safest way of meeting up with other people.

And if you do meet indoors- take care, and follow the public health advice."

NS: "Keep 2 metres distant from people in other households; clean surfaces after you touch them; and wash your hands regularly - especially when you first enter someone’s house."

NS: "By doing that, you can avoid creating bridges that allow the virus to spread from one household to another.

You can protect yourself against the risk of the virus. And you can also stop yourself from being a person without symptoms, who inadvertently passes the virus."

NS: "And that basic point -that all of us must continue to protect ourselves and others – is the note I want to end on."

NS: "Covid cases in Scotland are currently very low. But – as today’s figures remind us - we are still seeing cases every day. The virus has not gone away. And it will run out of control again if we let it."

NS: "That is why we keep on stressing our public health campaign - the Facts. It summarises the five key things all of us should remember in everything we do."

NS: "• Face coverings should be worn in enclosed spaces such as shops and public transport;
• Avoid crowded places;
• Clean your hands and hard surfaces regularly;
• Two metre distancing remains the rule;
• And Self isolate, and book a test, if you have symptoms."

NS: "By remembering those 5 basic measures, all of us can stay safe, protect others and save lives.

And we can continue to suppress the virus - even as we see more of our friends, and as the economy opens up."

NS: "So please continue to do the right thing, and stick with these rules. Thank you once again, to everyone who is doing that. Have an enjoyable, and safe, weekend."