First Minister reveals ‘Facts’ awareness bid
ANEW campaign to remind people of the precautions to protect from coronavirus has been launched. The First Minister announced the Facts plan to keep people aware of the risks and what they should do to minimise the risk of catching Covid-19.
Nicola Sturgeon said: “Each letter of that words – Facts – should serve to remind us all of the key measures we need to comply with.
“Face coverings in enclosed spaces.
“Avoid crowded spaces. “Clean your hands and surfaces regularly.
“Two-metre distancing. “Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms.
“So remember these ‘Facts’ and that will help all of us stay safe and it will ensure all of us can help protect each other as well.”
Sturgeon said that while Scotland has moved to implement some of the phase two easing of lockdown, pubs will have to wait a little while longer.
Many in the licensed trade had hoped to open outdoors with plans for beer gardens this week having to be put on hold.
The First Minister said the evidence about transmission of coronavirus in different settings meant it is not yet possible.
She said: “I very much hope to see people able to have a pint – or some of us would prefer a glass of wine or a gin and tonic – in a beer garden before too long.
“But I want to make sure that’s safe.
“If a couple more weeks before we have the ability to have a drink in a beer garden means we can keep this virus really suppressed at a low level, and maybe get our schools back much closer to normal in August, I think most people would think that is a good balance to try to strike.”
She said places like gyms and noisy pubs, and also participation in activities like choir singing, could have a greater risk of infection because people breathe differently.
Sturgeon added: “Even outdoors, if you are in a noisy environment, maybe there’s music playing. If people are having alcohol, maybe they’re shouting more than normal.”
The latest coronavirus statistics showed there had been another six deaths where a person had tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total to 2470.
Another 27 positive cases had been reported taking the total since the outbreak began to 18,104.
There were 904 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, a decrease of 25 in 24 hours. Of those patients, 19 were in intensive care, a decrease of four.
In the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area the total number of positive cases since the outbreak began was 4814.
There were 241 people in hospital across the area and the number in intensive care remained below five.