Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed the current coronavirus lockdown will continue in Scotland for at least another three weeks.
The move comes moments after Dominic Raab made a similar announcement on behalf of the UK Government at Westminster.
Ms Sturgeon said that lifting any of the lockdown and social distancing measures now could overwhelm the NHS and result in more deaths.
Speaking after the Cobra meeting, she commented: "If we were to lift any of these measures now, we would risk an immediate and potentially exponential resurgence of the virus. And that could result in our NHS being quickly overwhelmed.
"It could result in even more cases in our care homes, and it would also mean much more loss of life.
"It could of course also lead to the reintroduction of even more stringent restrictions in the future and substantially more damage to the economy.
"As a result, in short, all of the progress we have achieved together in these last few weeks, through high compliance with the lockdown restrictions, would be lost."
The First Minister earlier announced on Thursday a further 80 people have died in Scotland as a result of coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases rose to 7,102.
She further added: "I want to give you as much confidence as I can, but while we don't yet have all of the answers - no country does - we are developing a plan to help us plot the best course forward.
"In the meantime, thank you again for all you're doing. We're all feeling the pressure of these restrictions in our own lives and we are all worrying about family, friends and colleagues.
"Many of you, I know, are also worried about your jobs and how you will pay the bills. The Scottish Government will keep doing all we can to help with all of that."
