We must obey the new rules
This week, the first minister in common with Boris Johnson and the first ministers in Wales and Northern Ireland – announced some additional restrictions in the battle to restrict the spread of COVID-19.
So what exactly are these new restrictions?
Under 12s can meet up to play with their friends outside with no restriction on numbers or households and, in addition, 12-17 year olds can meet in groups of up to six outdoors, again without restriction on households.
But for the rest of us, outdoor meetings are to be kept to six people from no more than two households and, outwith certain exemptions, there is to be no indoor visiting.
We should keep working from home where possible and no shared car journeys with people from another household.
Finally, closing times for hospitality venues has been brought back to 10pm.
These steps are tough, but they are necessary. By taking these actions now we can hopefully avoid more drastic steps in the future.
I know that this will have stirred up a whole load of conflicting emotions for people.
I understand that it could perhaps feel a bit like we are right back at square one – like in a game of Snakes and Ladders when you are nearly home and then have to slither down the biggest snake.
But this isn’t a game. And nor has all the good progress that was made through the summer been wasted.
It is because of everything we did to drive the virus down to low levels over the summer, and because we now have Test and Protect in place and functioning well, that the restrictions can be far more targeted than the blanket lockdown earlier in the year.
And I urge everyone who has a suitable phone to download and enable the Protect Scotland app that is playing an important part in our Test and Protect effort.
There is no doubt that the extension of restrictions will be very hard on a wide range of businesses and I share the view of many that the chancellor should rethink ending the furlough scheme next month.
The Scottish Government would announce that measure tomorrow if it was in our power to do so.
The UK chancellor must heed the calls from devolved governments, opposition parties, businesses, trade unions, charities and economists and reverse his decision to end the furlough scheme.
I want to finish with the words the first minister used during her broadcast on Tuesday evening:“Though it doesn’t feel like it now, this pandemic will pass.
“It won’t last forever. And one day, hopefully soon, we will be looking back on it, not living through it.
“So, though we are all struggling with this - and believe me, we are all struggling – let’s pull together, let’s keep going, try to keep smiling, keep hoping, and keep looking out for each other.
“Be strong, be kind, and let’s continue to act out of love and solidarity.”