NICOLA Sturgeon has urged all Scots to stay at home this Easter weekend and to continue to follow the coronavirus lockdown protocols.
Speaking ahead of a virtual First Minister Questions with opposition party leaders she said she knew how difficult the measures were, especially for families with children and for older people wanting to spend time with their grandchildren.
But she insisted: "Please stay in touch with family, friends and loved ones in whatever alternative way best works for you.
"Reach out to and look out for people even as you stay physically apart from them, but please do follow the rules and stay at home over Easter."
She added: "This virtual session of FMQs might, in the scheme of things, seem like a relatively minor example of that, but it is a striking example of that."
The First Minister expressed her gratitude to parliament staff and the Presiding Officer for making the virtual session possible.
In a letter to MSPs yesterday announcing the virtual session, Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh wrote: "I know that members share my view that it is more important than ever that our parliament continues to function during this public health crisis and that we create opportunities for it do so remotely, not least so that we do not put others at any undue risk."
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During the 35-minute session the First Minister took questions from Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard, Scottish Greens parliamentary co leader Patrick Harvie and Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie.
Carlaw asked her about the length of the lockdown and whether the military would be brought in to help distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline workers.
Sturgeon stressed that PPE is of "fundamental, paramount importance" to the Scottish Government.
She added: "We treat these issues as hugely important and on an ongoing basis, will address any concerns that arise.”
Leonard also asked about PPE, saying the problems are "putting on more stress and pressure" on healthcare workers.
He added: "Can she give a categorical reassurance that those workers in the community, on the front line, will receive the right and adequate equipment that they need?"
The First Minister reiterated that assurances have been given and that the Scottish Government is addressing distribution problems.
Harvie raised the issue of do not resuscitate forms being issued to patients without "respectful discussion with patients" and a lack of "dignity" and "on a blanket basis".
The First Minister said discussions will be held for better guidance and that "nobody should receive a DNR form out of the blue or feel pressure to complete those".
Rennie pressed the First Minister on care homes and asked if the NHS has the capacity to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak.
He asked for counselling for front line workers dealing with the "trauma" of the Covid-19 outbreak and that he's "concerned about the impact on people's mental health in isolation" adding: "We just cannot wait before all of this is over to address these issues."
The First Minister said the issues raised by Rennie are "something that's very high on our priority list".
She added: "I suspect, for a long time after this, we will be dealing with a mental health legacy from it."
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