First Minister says stick to 2m rule
Nicola Sturgeon's urging Scots to stick to the 2 metre social distancing rule and not to get distracted by debate around the latest scientific research on whether a one metre gap is enough to protect the public from Covid-19.
A study published in The Lancet compared the effect of being one metre or two metres away from other people, and found the risk of catching Covid-19 is halved if you leave the bigger gap.
Nicola Sturgeon said: "You might be reading or hearing in the media today some voices saying that one metre is sufficient, so I want to take the opportunity today to stress that the clear and the strong advice from the Scottish Government is to stay two metres apart from those in other households.''
The First Minister also asked those who have not been wearing face coverings while in shops or using public transport to consider doing so.
She added: "It can offer some protection to other people, it protects them from you transmitting the virus to them without knowing it.
"It's something that we can all do to protect one another.''
A total of 2,375 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, up by 12 from 2,363 on Monday.
15,471 people have tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by 53 from 15,418 the day before.
This includes 40 earlier positive test results that were received today.
There are 1,168 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, an increase of 122.
Of these, 34 were in intensive care, an increase of seven on the previous day.
As well as paying tribute to health and care workers, as she does regularly, the First Minister thanked unpaid carers for their work during the pandemic.
Nicola Sturgeon told the Scottish briefing that there would be a £230 "coronavirus supplement'' to the carers allowance to be paid automatically at the end of this month.
She said the pandemic has been hard for everyone, but especially so for carers, who she said not only worry about their own health but the health of those they care for.
The First Minister also looked to recognise the work of volunteers during the pandemic.
She praised the work of those who signed up to the Scotland Cares scheme, as well as those who have been volunteering in their community for years.
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