Once-a-day exercise restriction relaxed for Scots, but Sturgeon warns the situation is ‘fragile’

People in Scotland will be allowed to exercise more than once a day after Nicola Sturgeon announced a cap on physical activity has been scrapped.

The first minister confirmed the lifting of restrictions on daily exercise will take effect from today but said no other changes to lockdown measures in Scotland would be made for the time being because the risk remains too high.

Speaking at her daily briefing in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said the situation is “fragile” and people should still stay close to home while maintaining a two-metre distance from anyone not part of their household.

Ms Sturgeon said: “From tomorrow, that once-a-day limit will be removed.

“If you want to go for a walk more often, or to go for a run and also a walk later on then you can now do so.”

The easing will not apply to those who have symptoms, are living with someone who is showing symptoms or those who are in the shielding group.

It should also not be used to gather in groups or for “sunbathing, picnics or barbecues”.

“The core principles of lockdown in Scotland remain the same, people should stay at home to help save lives and protect the NHS,” Ms Sturgeon said.

“We do not underestimate how difficult these measures are, particularly for those living alone, or in smaller accommodation with children or without access to a garden.”

Ms Sturgeon said the hard work of people across Scotland to follow the guidance and stay at home had allowed ministers to sign-off on the change.

However, she cautioned being allowed to exercise more than once a day “is definitely not a licence to start meeting up in groups at the park.”

Further updates could be made next weekend but Ms Sturgeon said she does not expect schools in Scotland to return as early as June, as has been reported in England.

Before the briefing, official figures showed a total of 1,857 patients in Scotland have died following a laboratory-confirmed case of Covid-19, with 13,486 people testing positive for the virus overall – up by 181 from 13,305 the day before.

There were 82 people in intensive care with coronavirus or associated symptoms.

Across Tayside and Fife, 2,308 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 since the pandemic began.

Across Tayside, there have been 1,497 confirmed cases of coronavirus and there are currently 41 people receiving hospital treatment. In Fife, 811 people have been diagnosed with the virus and 82 people who have tested positive are in hospital.

“Definitely not a licence to start meeting up in groups at the park. NICOLA STURGEON

Picture: PA. The first minister has announced that the once-a-day exercise limit will be removed – though people should stay close to home and only exercise with members of their household.