Nicola Sturgeon has issued a stark warning that Scots should not travel to Level 3 areas such as Edinburgh for Christmas shopping this year.
Admitting that at this time of year most people would want to get on with Christmas shopping, Sturgeon said it is "realistic" to expect the majority of Scots to abide by the law and not travel to level three areas for Christmas shopping.
She asked people not to go to the capital or Glasgow from other areas and instead support local retailers and shop online.
Those who live outside the city in areas such as East Lothian are not currently allowed to travel to Edinburgh for non-essential reasons.
Warning that progress made against the virus “can go into reverse very very quickly", the First Minister pointed out how easily the virus can move back out of control if we "drop our guard" as she urged Scots to follow the rules.
"I cannot emphasise enough to you that the last thing we want to see is overcrowding in shops," she said.
Non-essential retail in areas like West Lothian which had been in level four officially reopened at 6am this morning, with locals ask to consider whether they can wait a day amid overcrowding fears.
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