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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
World
Alasdair Clark

Scots told to follow Covid rules as restrictions ease in Scotland from Monday

Scots have been urged to follow the coronavirus rules closely as lockdown restrictions ease yet again on Monday.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney has urged Scots to continue following coronavirus restrictions as rules ease over the Easter weekend.

The stay at home lockdown order was lifted on Friday and replaced with guidance to "stay local", which urges people to remain within their local authority area.

Further easing will take place on Monday, with garden centres, homeware stores and click and collect services allowed to reopen, along with barbers and hairdressers.

Get all the latest coronavirus updates on our live blog.

But thousands have already taken advantage of the easing, with mass brawls breaking out in an Edinburgh park and crowds flocking to Portobello beach.

On a visit to a garden centre in Perthshire, Mr Swinney said it is important to remember the virus is still circulating.

He added: "It's absolutely wonderful to be out and about again. After the long winter months of being cooped up inside, I know everyone will be keen to get back to our more normal lives.

"We are seeing real progress in our fight against this dreadful pandemic. The hard sacrifices of the country - coupled with the fantastic effort of the vaccine programme getting jabs into arms of millions of Scots - is really paying dividends.

John Swinney has urged people to continue following the rules (Getty Images)

"While it's great news that garden centres and hairdressers are allowed to reopen, everyone needs to bear in mind that it doesn't mean the virus has gone away."

Mr Swinney urged people to stick with the rules for now.

He added: "The virus is down but it's not yet out, and the last thing we need is to see it making a comeback and undoing all the progress from the massive effort and sacrifices we have all had to make.

"But being here today demonstrates that we are making very welcome steps back towards the normal life we all so dearly wish for.

"My message is simple - enjoy the latest relaxing of the rules but remember to look out for each other, too. Together we will beat this virus."

On Sunday, Scotland recorded 343 new coronavirus cases and no new deaths of Covid-19 patients.

A total of 2,553,837 people have received the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination and 451,057 have received their second dose.

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