Compliance is key as beauty spots busy with visitors

number of Covid-19 deaths since the outbreak.

“Significant numbers of people are infected with this virus. We are making real progress, but it’s early days for the current restrictions to be significantly altered.

“Lockdown is hard for everyone, but we need to keep in mind why we’re doing it. We’ve undoubtedly already saved many lives, and our NHS has not been overrun in the way that we feared it could have been.

“We’re getting there, but we just need to stick with it for a bit longer.”

SNP colleague Bruce Crawford MSP added: “Changing the lockdown restrictions will need to be done carefully and based on scientific evidence – this really is a matter of life and death.

“All four nations in the UK are working together, but where the evidence indicates that a slightly different pace needs to be taken to keep people in Scotland safe, it is the duty of the First Minister and the Scottish Government to act upon that.”

Conservative councillor for Trossachs and Teith, Martin Earl, said: “After seven weeks there is going to be an increasing temptation for many people to push the boundaries of the restrictions so this is a crucial time to reinforce the fundamental message that we all need to stay at home as much as possible and take our exercise locally.

“The virus has not gone away and the risks remain the same so don’t be tempted to do anything that compromises your own and others’ safety.”

His comments follow social media posts appearing to show visitors from outside Callander coming into the town to visit family, as well as reports of increased traffic around the town and at local beauty spots including Ben A’an.

The renewed call for calm has been prompted by media reports that Prime Minister Boris Johnson was preparing to make minor alterations to the current lockdown during a speech on Sunday night.

But at a press briefing yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that the existing lockdown would remain in place for now.

Ms Sturgeon said “There’s discussion in many countries about the timing of lockdowns.

“All along we have taken the decisions we considered right and at the time we thought right. And of course, none of us have the benefit of hindsight when we make those decisions.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that the decisions we take now are a matter of life and death. That is why they weigh so very, very heavily.”