Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK have been ordered not to leave their homes for three months in a fresh attempt to tackle coronavirus.
The UK Government said 1.5 million people, identified as the most vulnerable in England, are being advised to isolate for 12 weeks in a bid to save their lives during the covid-19 pandemic.
And First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said 200,000 Scots living with “extreme health vulnerabilities” are being written to and told not to leave their homes for the same amount of time.
It comes after new figures showed 281 people had died after contracting the virus in the UK.
A total of 5,683 have tested positive for covid-19 across the country.
Following a UK Government press conference announcing the plan, Mrs Sturgeon tweeted to say that 200,000 people across Scotland would be subject to the same measures.
The SNP leader wrote: “200,000 people in Scotland with extreme health vulnerabilities will be written to in coming days with advice to isolate for 12 weeks and details of how they will be supported.
“The rest of us can reduce the risk of getting and passing on the infection by following all the advice.”
200,000 people in Scotland with extreme health vulnerabilities will be written to in coming days with advice to isolate for 12 weeks & details of how they will be supported. The rest of us can reduce the risk of getting and passing on the infection by following all the advice. https://t.co/LnL91PFN0l
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) March 22, 2020
Speaking at the press conference on Sunday afternoon, UK communities secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Today we have to go further and shield the most vulnerable people to help save their lives.”
He said the NHS has identified 1.5 million people in England who “face the highest risk” from covid-19.
He added: “The NHS is contacting these people in the coming days advising them to stay at home for a period of 12 weeks.”
People identified include those with respiratory conditions, cancer and people taking immunosuppressive drugs.
WATCH LIVE: PM @BorisJohnson holds the daily #coronavirus press conference (22 March 2020) https://t.co/YsePYDGplu
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) March 22, 2020
Mr Jenrick said: “I do understand what we are asking of people. It will be tough. I want to reassure you on behalf of the government you are not alone. We will be with you throughout to support you.”
Saturday’s figures for the whole of the UK revealed that 5,018 people had tested positive for covid-19 with 233 patients dying as a result.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the press conference: “This shielding will do more than any other single measure we are doing yet to save lives. That is what we want to do: reduce infection and kill the spread of the disease.
“We have to do more to make sure that the existing measures that we are taking are having the effect that we want.
“It is crucial that people understand tomorrow that the schools are closed and tomorrow we shouldn’t send any child to school unless you have been identified as a key worker.”
On any “further measures” that may have to be taken on social distancing, Mr Johnson said: “I don’t think you need to use your imagination very much to see where we might have to go, and we will think about this very, very actively in the next 24 hours.
“We need to think about the kind of measures we’ve seen elsewhere – other countries that have been forced to bring in restrictions on people’s movements altogether, now as I say I don’t want to do that.
“It’s so important that that pleasure and that ability is preserved but it can only really be preserved if everybody acts responsibly and conforms with those principles of staying apart from one another and social distancing.
“If we can’t do that then, yup, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring forward tougher measures.”
Mr Johnson said that the ability to go outdoors for exercise was extremely important for physical and mental well-being but that people needed to do it “responsibly”.
“Many many people do not have access, let’s face it, to private green spaces where they can do that and that’s why parks, open spaces are so absolutely crucial for our country and for our society,” he said.
“But when we do that we have to do that responsibly. My message is you’ve got to do this in line with the advice, you’ve got to follow the social distancing rule – keep two metres apart.
“Otherwise if you don’t do it responsibly, as you suggest there is going to be no doubt that we will have to bring forward further measures and we are certainly keeping that under constant review.”
It is the latest step in the fight against covid-19.
As of Monday, schools across the country will be closed to pupils.
10 deaths as Scottish cases rise
It comes as the latest Scottish Government figures show the total number of confirmed covid-19 cases in Tayside is 38 and 16 in Fife. It is a rise of seven across Courier country.
The Scottish death toll has also spiralled from seven on Saturday to 10 on Sunday.
Across the country the number of people who have contracted covid-19 has risen to 416 – up from 373. This is a rise of 43 cases.
On Saturday, the number of confirmed cases across Courier country was 47 – 34 in Tayside and 13 in Fife.
Update on #coronavirus testing
As of 2pm today 8679 Scottish tests have concluded
8263 confirmed negative
416 positive10 patients who tested positive have sadly died.
Our latest update ➡️ https://t.co/kZjGNz2EDe
Health advice ➡️ https://t.co/l7rqArB6Qu#COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/2rxv2Bhif6— Scottish Government (@scotgov) March 22, 2020
A total of 8679 people have been tested for covid-19 across Scotland.
Three more deaths and 43 new confirmed cases, which is lower than the past few days. pic.twitter.com/ynrazEusox
— Lesley-Anne Kelly (@L_A_Kelly) March 22, 2020
