Three more people have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, with the number of confirmed cases rising to 894.
The figures were confirmed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at her daily Covid-19 briefing in Edinburgh alongside Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood and Health Secretary Jeane Freeman.
A total of 25 people have now died as a result of the virus in Scotland.
Ms Sturgeon confirmed that the Scottish Government now has the power to make regulations to enforce social distancing measures, after the Coronavirus bill passed by UK parliament gained Royal Assent.
The First Minister expects the powers to be in force “as early as today”.
“They are there to make sure we can ensure the right things are done to stop the virus spreading,” she said.
She added, “We expect the vast majority of people to follow the guidelines without the requirement of enforcement”.
Those found not to be following the guidelines can be made to return home and liable to an on the spot fine or ultimately prosecuted.
“Ultimately this is about saving lives,” she said.
The First Minister also confirmed that 1,500,000 face masks are back into use from the NHS stockpile and are “fit for use” having been tested.
