SNP MPS have called for clarity on Boris Johnson's new "stay alert" advice in favour of the “stay at home” message in the fight against coronavirus.
The PM is now telling the public to “stay at home as much as possible”, keep two metres apart when going out and “limit contact” with other people.
But the Government’s efforts to maintain a unified UK-wide response to the pandemic failed as politicians and the public called for clarity on the message.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland would not be adopting it yet.
"We mustn't squander progress by easing up too soon or sending mixed messages," she said in her daily coronavirus briefing.
"People will die unnecessarily. We must not take that risk. My basic message remains the same: please stay at home."
Stewart McDonald, MP for Glasgow South, said it is hard to "overstate the damage to public health" the new messaging has caused.
So to quote Theresa May, nothing has changed? Hard to overstate the damage to public health that the UK a government has been this week. https://t.co/ba5Yezlr9X
— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) May 10, 2020
Neil Gray, who represents Airdrie and Shotts, agreed, saying: "When you have to issue a statement to explain a slogan is it really a slogan?"
When you have to issue a statement to explain a slogan is it really a slogan? #StayHomeSaveLives https://t.co/H6WCFb32Ls
— Neil Gray MP (@neilgraysnp) May 10, 2020
Humza Yousaf, Scotland's Justice Minister said Westminster should have used a "simpler iteration".
If you need to send out additional briefing to clarify your message before it has even been announced (but which you leaked to the press)...I would politely suggest you bin said message and stick to the simpler iteration #StayHomeSaveLives https://t.co/KluEj3oBrg
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) May 10, 2020
Perth MP Pete Wishart also hit out at the Tories' confusing advice.
Geez! This is suppose to clarify the new "stay alert' message. It's full of 'as much as possible' and 'if you can' and other various vagaries. This is going to be a tough week for the Tories. https://t.co/Z25pdgMjEW
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) May 10, 2020
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