People across West Dunbartonshire are this morning waking up to their first day of lockdown.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night (Monday) announced that people should stay at home unless absolutely necessary to prevent the rapid spread of coronavirus.
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Residents should only leave their house for essential items of shopping, if they must travel to work, to seek medical help or care for a vulnerable person or for one form of exercise a day.
Any exercise should be done alone or only with members of your household.
The stringent measures have been brought in after people flocked to beauty spots including Loch Lomond at the weekend despite the government advising people should observe social distancing and refrain from gathering unnecessarily.
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Speaking in response to the PM’s speech last night, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “They are essential to prevent our National Health Service being overwhelmed, so that it can continue to provide treatment to all those who need it. And they are essential quite bluntly, to save lives.
“So I asked you not to think that any of this is being done lightly. It is absolutely not. This is for the protection of each one of us.
“I want people to think of this not as guidance or advice but as a set of rules to be followed for the protection of yourself, your loved one, your community.”
As a result, some NHS staff members have been forced to stay apart from their families in a bid to prevent the virus spreading further and putting themselves and loved ones at risk.
If you know anyone in this position who deserves a special mention, email the Lennox Herald at news@lennoxherald.co.uk
