Nicola Sturgeon has delivered a stark warning to Scotland that "Covid is on the rise again" amid the growing cases in the UK and Europe.
The First Minister took to Twitter where she also urged people in selected areas of the Greater Glasgow and Clyde region to continue to abide by the restrictions currently in place due to the recent spike in coronavirus cases.
These are Glasgow City, East and West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, and North and South Lanarkshire.
Ms Sturgeon also warned that the central belt was seeing the fastest rise in cases, with particular caution needed for people in that area.
She said: "COVID is on the rise again across the UK and Europe. Keeping it under control requires care and vigilance from all of us. And bluntly, it means restricting as far as possible our interactions with other households. So I am asking everyone to follow some important advice.
"If - as I do - you live in Glasgow, East or West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, North or South Lanarkshire, please do not visit other households at all for now (unless providing care). Cases are rising fastest in central belt so we must be extra vigilant here.
"In the rest of the country, please limit social gatherings, indoors and outdoors, to 6 people from a maximum of 2 households (children under 12 don’t count towards the limit of 6)."
The First Minister also reminded the public of the Scottish Government's FACTS campaign, urging people to follow the steps.
She said: "Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, remember FACTS -
- Face coverings in enclosed spaces
- Avoid crowded places
- Clean hands and surfaces regularly
- Two metre distancing from people in other households
- Self isolate and book a test if you have symptoms
"By following these steps, we all play our part in protecting Scotland. It’s tough but it’s necessary. We are all in this together - and only together can we control COVID and save lives. Thank you."
