NICOLA Sturgeon has warned about putting legal curbs on socialising and travel after mass breaches of the revised guidance on the first weekend of the lockdown easing.
The First Minister said she “would not hesitate” to legislate to keep outdoor meetings below eight and ban travel to within five miles from someone's home to suppress the spread of coronavirus.
It follows a surge in rule breaking in Phase 1 of the route-map out of lockdown.
Police Scotland reported a five-fold increase in the number of groups officers were forced to disperse to 797 on Saturday alone.
At the Scottish Government daily briefing, the First Minister said there were also examples of people driving well beyond the recommended five-mile limit from home.
A 70% rise in road journeys was also a “cause of concern”, with the A82 at Loch Lomond and Glen Coe seeing a three-fold increase in traffic.
The First Minister said there had also been examples of people staying overnight in tents, caravans and motor homes, despite her plea to stay at home as much as possible.
She said: “It’s very hard to see how that could have been caused by local residents or people travelling to see loved ones.
“If there is continued evidence of even a minority not abiding by those guidelines, if people.. Are meeting in large groups, we will have to put those guidelines into law.
“I won’t hesitate to do that if I think it’s necessary.”
“I won’t hesitate to do that if I think it’s necessary.”
She said people disregarding the guidelines were putting their open health at risk, as well as the health of the country.
However she said that, for now, she would appeal to people’s better judgment.
Donald Macaskill, chief executive of Scottish Care, responded: "I am upset at hearing from @NicolaSturgeon at #covidbriefing of how many broke the Guidance this weekend. The residents in #carehomes, people supported at home and all care workers need you to be aware that your actions are endangering lives. #StayHome. @scottishcare."
I am upset at hearing from @NicolaSturgeon at #covidbriefing of how many broke the Guidance this weekend. The residents in #carehomes, people supported at home and all care workers need you to be aware that your actions are endangering lives. #StayHome. @scottishcare
— Donald Macaskill (@DrDMacaskill) June 1, 2020
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