Nicola Sturgeon has slammed the Government’s decision to boycott Good Morning Britain.
In addition to the ban on visiting others inside their homes across Scotland there will be a “strict nationwide curfew” for pubs and restaurants, starting at 10pm on Friday.
People are also advised not to share car journeys with anyone from outside their household.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, the First Minister said on the new measures: “If we don’t act now, urgently and decisively, then we might find COVID running out of control again.
“If we take tough action now, we might be under these restrictions for a shorter period of time than if we delayed these difficult decisions.”
When asked about the mental health impact of a ban of indoor visits between households in Scotland, the First Minister said: “I haven’t done this lightly. We’ve been very careful to take account of the mental health implications, there’s more flexibility outdoors for young people, but I’ve made a judgment that we are again, at a tipping point with Covid.
'I haven't done this lightly.'
First Minister of Scotland @NicolaSturgeon responds to @susannareid100's concerns about peoples' mental health after she imposed a ban on indoor visits between households in Scotland.
Watch GMB now 👉 https://t.co/yyUUJmzswF pic.twitter.com/DNM6gSz7nt
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) September 23, 2020
“I’m looking at data that alarms me frankly, and if we don’t act now, urgently and decisively then we might find Covid running out of control again.
“So the judgement I’ve made, and it’s not an easy one, is that if we take tough action now, we might actually manage to be under these restrictions for a shorter period of time than we will end up being if we delay that action.”
She added: “These are tough judgments, but I think given the loss of life we know that Covid can result in, the health damage that it does, we’ve got to be prepared, at moments like this, people like me, to take tough decisions and to be prepared to do things even if they are unpopular for the greater good”
