📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "I want to reflect on the fact that each and every one of these statistics represents a human being - someone who was loved and leaves behind grieving friends and relatives.

I want to extend my deepest condolences to everyone who lost a loved one to COVID19".
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "I also want to thank from the bottom of my heart all of those working in our health and care sector.

At 8PM last night, people across Scotland again demonstrated our appreciation for your incredible work. All of us owe you an enormous debt of gratitude."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "Following the COBRA meeting, the position and the advice from all four governments across the UK is unchanged.

Scotland, like the rest of the UK, will remain in lockdown through the Easter weekend and into next week."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "At the moment, we simply don't have enough evidence on the impact of the lockdown to have confidence about when we could start to come out of it.

As that evidence becomes available, we will be able to review the situation."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "But for now, the message remains exactly the same as it has been: people need to stay at home.

I know how difficult that is, particularly over this Easter weekend."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "From the data, we know that travel in Scotland has now been reduced almost entirely to that which is essential.

I want to thank all of you for your patience and compliance, and for the sacrifices I know all of you are making."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "For the Easter weekend especially, it is worth stressing that nobody should be travelling for holidays in rural and island communities.

These areas may be less populous, but they are also especially vulnerable to the impact of this pandemic."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "None of us, including me, want these restrictions to be in place for a single moment longer than they need to be.

But we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent against this virus and end these measures prematurely."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "All of us must continue to comply with the rules, because that gives us our best chance of slowing the spread of this virus, protecting our NHS and of course, saving lives."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "Later today, I will visit the @NHSLouisaJordan hospital at the SECC in Glasgow to see the preparations that are underway and to thank those who are working so hard to make that new facility possible."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "Over the past week, more than 20,000 m2 of flooring has been laid, partitions between beds have been erected, and 8,000 pieces of medical equipment have been ordered.

As a result, @NHSLouisaJordan is on track to be operational by mid April."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "The site will initially create capacity for 300 extra hospital beds, with the ability to expand to over 1,000 if required.

Again, let me be clear: our current expectation is that this hospital will not need to be used, but it is important that we prepare."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "We know that anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, but we also know that women and children are particularly vulnerable to it - that's why we've allocated additional funding to organisations like Women's Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage helpline remains fully operational at all hours of the day and night, 24/7 during this pandemic.

People can email, chat through the website, or call them on 0800 027 1234."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "We know that there are some domestic abuse victims that will be worried about bothering the police and other services.

This campaign makes it clear these services are open, and they are there to help you. Do not hesitate to use them if you need them."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "I also want to stress that our NHS is there to help you too.

Other illnesses have not gone away because of #COVID19, so if you have chest pain or unusual bleeding for example, it's important that you seek help - contact your GP or if out of hours, NHS24."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "Let me close by reiterating my main message today: the importance of staying at home.

I know it is tempting to think that after almost 3 weeks of complying with these tough restrictions, we can allow ourselves a little slip..."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "...But the risks of that could be enormous and they are not risks worth taking.

One time you ignore this guidance could be the time you get infected with #COVID19, or the time that you pass it onto a loved one without knowing about it."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "So please don't throw away all of the good work of the past weeks, and don't put yourself or your loved ones at risk.

All of us must continue to do the right thing and follow the rules. Every day we do that brings us a day closer to returning to normality."
📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "Let me end by thanking everybody in advance for doing the right thing over this weekend.

I hope you all stay safe, stay well, and in these unusual circumstances, have the best possible Easter weekend."
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