Ross urges First Minister to relax two-metre rule
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Moray's MP has called on Nicola Sturgeon to relax the two-metre rule social distancing rule.
Douglas Ross has spoken out after Boris Johnson announced a range of measures today which will apply in England from July 4.
These include a reduction from two metres to one for social distancing
Hospitality venues will be able to reopen south of the border, while hairdressers will be allowed to accept customers again.
In addition people, from different households will also be allowed to meet indoors.
Mr Ross said: "Based on scientific evidence, the UK Prime Minister has taken the important step to cut social distancing from two metres to one.
"Businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector, cannot make a profit unless the two-metre social distancing rule is reduced.
"Nicola Sturgeon needs to follow the UK Government’s lead on reducing social distancing, but if she continues to refuse then she needs to provide the evidence for insisting that the two-metre limit should remain in place.
"The SNP’s intransigence once again looks to be based on her blind refusal to follow the UK Government’s lead.
"Playing politics like this is playing with the future of Scotland’s businesses is reprehensible.
"The Prime Minister said in the House of Commons today that 'our national hibernation is beginning to come to an end and life is returning to our streets'.
"However Nicola Sturgeon is keeping the freezer door in Scotland tightly shut."
Speaking at today's briefing Ms Sturgeon said she has asked the Scottish Government's scientific advisory group to review the two-metre distance rule.
The advisory group is expected to report back to her by July 2.
Ms Sturgeon said: "Until then, the position here in Scotland remains the same. We are advising people to maintain two metres physical distancing.
"Any changes announced today for other parts of the UK, while we will look at the evidence underpinning those very carefully, will not apply here at this stage."
Ms Sutrgeon also stated she would provide a general update tomorrow on Scotland's route map out of lockdown.
She added: "As part of that I'll set out some indicative dates for when some measures and some phases, all being well, will come into effect.
"We could move through phases perhaps more quickly or bring certain measures forward in some instances.
"That's what we hope now to be able to do, but I want to stress that we are still taking, and will continue to take, a cautious approach.
"Last week, I was able to announce our move into the next phase in our exit from lockdown and tomorrow I'll be able to provide some further details on the timing of some of the specific steps in that journey."
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