Sturgeon outlines new measures to tackle coronavirus

Nicola Sturgeon says new restrictions to tackle the spread of coronavirus “amount effectively to what has been described as a lockdown”.

Speaking in Edinburgh on Monday evening, the First Minister outlined stringent measures to stop people from leaving their homes.

She spoke just moments after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new curbs to try and stop the spread of the virus.

There has been 499 confirmed cases of the virus in Scotland and 14 deaths.

The UK is now in lockdown in the fight against the coronavirus, meaning everyone has to stay at home and will only be allowed to leave for reasons like shopping for basic necessities or for exercise.

Britons will only be able to go out for exercise, like for a walk, a run or cycling.

Gatherings of more than two people are banned, except for people living in the same household.

People should go to the shops for essentials like food or medicine as infrequently as possible, and should not go out to see friends or family members who do not live at their house.

People can also leave the house for any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person, or to go work – but only if this is absolutely necessary as a result of being unable to work from home.