Nicola Sturgeon: Four UK nations may move at different speeds from lockdown

Prime Minster Boris Johnson spoke with the leaders of the devolved nations on Thursday, ahead of an expected announcement on easing parts of the lockdown in England on Sunday.

Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced “modest adjustments” from Monday to restrictions there.

But Ms Sturgeon has said the only change in Scotland would be allowing people to leave their house for exercise more than once a day.

Speaking at her daily coronavirus briefing, she said there was a “helpful recognition” in her call with the prime minister that the “four UK nations may well move at different speeds if our data about the spread of the virus says that that is necessary to suppress it”.

But she added that planning and messaging would continue to be co-ordinated.

The Scottish government said its data suggests that the R-number is higher in Scotland than the rest of the UK.

Chief constable of the Scottish police Iain Livingstone was also in attendance at the briefing, saying that communities have “stepped forward” during the pandemic.

He said there were “high levels” of compliance with policing during the lockdown, and surveys have suggested that support for policing is higher than usual.

The chief constable added: “It’s my plea today, underlining what the first minister has said, for everyone to continue exercising the self-discipline, commitment and common sense which has thus far served us well.”

Mr Livingstone also said that police officers will continue to “act with courtesy and common sense” as the lockdown restrictions continue.