Nicola Sturgeon tells people who're shielding "we've not forgotten about you"

Nicola Sturgeon says thousands of the most vulnerable people in Scotland, who are trapped in their homes, will find out in less than two weeks when they can go outside again.

The First Minister spoke about plans for people in the shielded category during a special programme on Northsound 1.

She said: “We are looking at it very carefully and hope over the next couple of weeks to give new guidance to shielded people.

"That will move away hopefully from a blanket position of saying ‘stay indoors at all times and don’t go out at all.’"

Those in the category haven’t been allowed out of their houses since lockdown started in March.

Ms Sturgeon added: “We’ve not forgotten about you, your health and wellbeing in its broadest sense really matters to us.

“This new guidance, which we are going to issue, we are really working hard to get right so that your safety is absolutely paramount.”

The First Minister was also asked by one listener about when hairdressers will re-open as well as when couples can meet up without socially distancing.

“With hairdressers I’m as keen as anyone to get things back to normal,” she said.

“Maybe I should ask her the listener what’s more important – getting to see her boyfriend for a hug or getting a haircut?

“Because if I had that choice right now, I hope my husband’s not listening, but I think I’d probably go for the haircut,” she added.”

Restrictions were eased last week as Scotland moved into phase one of lifting lockdown measures.

This allowed us to meet one other household outdoors whilst maintaining physical distancing.

However, while many took the chance to reunite with loved ones in gardens and parks across the country Ms Sturgeon decided against it.

She said: “There are a couple of reasons for that which I’ll give you so my mum can hopefully hear it as well.

“Firstly, I had a lot of work on at the weekend.

“Things are pretty busy just now and at weekends I try to catch up with a lot of paperwork and reading that I don’t get to do during the week.

“Secondly, I knew there would be not people breaching the guidelines, but I knew there would be more people out and about on the roads.

“I just took a personal decision not to add to that last weekend.”

She added: “But thirdly, my mum and dad, and my sister and my niece and nephew live quite close to each other.

“And because you’re only allowed to see one household at a time, and no more than one a day, I would have had to choose between them and it would have caused a family dispute.

“So, I decided to keep the peace and not see any of them last weekend.”

Hear all the latest news from the North East of Scotland on Northsound 1. Listen on FM, via our Rayo app, DAB, or smart speaker.