A SIGNIFICANT majority of people back new stricter lockdown measures announced by the Scottish and UK Governments to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, according to a poll.
The YouGov survey found that 93% supported the plans announced by Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson on Monday night. Under the measures, people will only be able to leave their homes to shop for “basic necessities, as infrequently as possible”.
One form of exercise a day will be allowed, either alone or with members of a household. The only other occasions when someone can leave their home are for “medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person”, or to travel to and from work “where this is absolutely necessary”.
Gatherings of more than two people are banned, while all shops selling non-essential items, places of worship and community venues have all been shut.
Of the 2788 people polled by YouGov across the UK, 76% said they strongly supported the lockdown, while 66% also said they would find it easy to follow the new rules for the next three weeks, after which the governments will decide whether they can be relaxed.
However, people were split over whether police have enough powers to enforce the new measures.
READ MORE Police given powers to enforce coronavirus lockdown in Scotland
Officers have been given powers to shut down pubs, clubs and shops and fine businesses and individuals those who do not comply with the new emergency rules.
But, according to the poll, 39% of people think the police powers are insufficient, with the same number believing the powers go far enough.
Cases of coronavirus in the UK soared by 967 on Monday to a total of 6650, with the death toll reaching 335.
The poll was published as the Scottish Government released new figures on the coronavirus.
According to the official figures, 16 people in Scotland have died after testing positive for Covid-19, while there have been a total of 584 positive tests. The figures revealed 183 of the positive tests were in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, 75 in NHS Lanarkshire and 70 in Lothian.
Speaking yesterday at Holyrood, the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “People must stay at home. I know how hard this is for everybody but people should not be meeting friends or family members outside home. Life should not be feeling normal – if it is, you are not sticking to the rules.”
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