No new Covid-19 deaths for sixth day ahead of "highest risk changes" in journey out of lockdown
The First Minister's warning us we need to be ready to hand over contact details when bars, restaurants and hairdressers reopen on Wednesday
No new coronavirus deaths have been reported in Scotland for the sixth day in a row.
The First Minister told the Scottish Government's coronavirus briefing that 2,490 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for Covid-19, no change on last Wednesday's figure.
Nicola Sturgeon announced the numbers as she urged caution ahead of Scotland making what she called the “highest risk changes so far” in the journey out of lockdown.
Pubs and restaurants can welcome customers to indoor areas from Wednesday, while hairdressers, hotels, cinemas libraries and museums and places of worship can also reopen.
The First Minister is warning us not to visit any of these places if we’re not prepared to hand over our details.
As part of the Scottish Government's contact tracing system, customers are expected to provide contact details so people can be tracked following any potential positive cases of coronavirus.
Ms Sturgeon said: “Data collection is very important, it means that customers or staff can be notified if they come into contact with somebody who is subsequently found to have Covid-19.
“It's therefore absolutely crucial to our test and protect system, and it's one of the measures that we hope will help to build public and staff confidence as more premises reopen.”
After urging businesses to read the updated guidance, Ms Sturgeon added: “I would make a plea to all customers to accept that, if you want to go somewhere like a hairdresser or a place of worship or to a popular restaurant, you will be asked to provide contact details.
“You should co-operate with anyone who is asking you to do that.
“In fact, if you're not prepared to provide your contact details, my message to you is pretty blunt: don't go to these places, because you could be putting others at greater risk.
“Today's guidance is in the best interest of businesses and the public overall, and all of us, as has been the case throughout this crisis, have a shared interest in making it work effectively.”
The leader of the Scottish Conservatives meanwhile is urging Scots to spend locally as the hospitality and tourism sectors reopen.
Speaking at the Cartvale Bar in Busby in his Eastwood constituency, Jackson Carlaw pushed for people to spend their money in local businesses that may have been struggling to make ends meet in recent months.
He said: “Tomorrow, at long last, our pubs, restaurants, cafes are all able to open again to the public and its incredibly important that we support them.
“If we want these amenities to exist, if we want to see them at the heart of our communities, we need to get out and support them as well.”
In response to the easing of regulations, Mr Carlaw has called on the Scottish Government to create a mass marketing campaign urging Scots to shop locally.
Hear all the latest news from the North East of Scotland on the hour, every hour, at Northsound 1. Listen on FM, via our Northsound app, on your DAB radio, online at Northsound1.co.uk, or say ‘Play Northsound 1’ on your Smart Speaker.