Going out must be ‘genuinely essential’

NICOLA Sturgeon has urged people without a “genuine essential purpose” for leaving their homes to stay put as mainland Scotland returned to lockdown until at least the end of January.

The latest restrictions came into effect from midnight on Monday in all Level 4 areas of the Scottish Government’s five-tier system in a bid to combat further spread of the new, more infectious coronavirus strain.

Speaking at the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing on Tuesday, Ms Sturgeon said: “Staying at home whenever possible is the best way of protecting ourselves, protecting each other, protecting the NHS and ultimately saving lives.

“Fundamentally, I’m asking everybody to really try hard to stay at home as much as possible, and only leave home if it is for a genuinely essential purpose.”

The first minister said Scotland recorded 2,529 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, up from 1,905 on Monday.

The number of hospital patients confirmed to have coronavirus has also risen steeply to 1,347, up 255 in a week.

Ms Sturgeon said 11 deaths of coronavirus patients who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days were recorded in the past 24 hours, taking this toll to 4,633.

A DOG walker says she is “disturbed” after finding a dangerous trap in a public park.

Morag Pacione, owner of the dog walking service Patch Pets, was shocked to find the plastic snare trap while walking through Camperdown Park.

The devices, which work by fastening themselves around an animal and holding it in place, are mainly used to capture wild creatures.

Their use on public land is illegal due to the danger they pose to pets, and they have previously been criticised due to concerns over animal cruelty.

Morag said: “It was just the one I found but there could be more.

“It was quite disturbing to see because this is a city park, not some sort of glen or anything.