Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

Scotland's chief constable Iain Livingstone is now giving evidence to the sub-committee on policing.

Emergency powers were introduced in March to allow the police to enforce lockdown. These new powers included:

• detaining someone for testing if they believe they are infectious;
• closing non-essential businesses;
• restricting a person's right to move around or take part in a gathering;
• handing out fixed penalties to anyone caught flouting the social distancing rules.

Check out the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing's papers here, external.

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

John Scott tells MSPs the quarantine rules appear "unenforceable".

New rules requiring all people arriving in the UK to self-isolate for 14 days have come into effect. Home Secretary Priti Patel has said the laws were designed "to prevent a second wave" of coronavirus.

Joanne MacAulay
BBC Scotland news

A community group in Paisley is bringing bingo to the streets of Ferguslie Park during lockdown.

The Isolation Bingo Bus goes to a different venue each week - to let people enjoy a socially distanced game from their gardens, windows or pavement.

Organiser Terry McTernan, from the Darkwood Crew group of volunteers, said the idea was to try to cheer people up.

“We acquired a minibus and have been using that to distribute food to meet the very immediate needs within the local community in light of Covid.

"We thought it lies at night doing nothing, there's other needs that could be met using the bus. And we thought turning it into a bingo bus is just a logical next step.

“Bingo's a very popular pastime down in Ferguslie and as you can see it's very well embraced."

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

Asked about the discretion policing officers have in issuing fines, John Scott says it appears powers have been used appropriately "most of the time".

He explains those issued in error have been caught by internal procedures, though he does not yet have figures.

• Over 2,000 gatherings dispersal and 16 fines issues first weekend after lockdown eased
• Police take 'common sense' approach to new powers
• Police to enforce virus lockdown with fines

Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland

Prof Pennington says it is a "bit of a pity" there is different approach to those in the shielding group in England than in Scotland.

The shielding of those in Scotland who are most at risk if they become infected with Covid-19 should continue until 31 July, the first minister has said.

Vulnerable people in England and Wales who had been advised to stay home are now able to go outdoors again.

Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland

Mornings with Kaye Adams is focusing on shielding, but has also heard from a lot of those over 70 years old who are in the high risk group.

Professor Hugh Pennington explains the over 70s and 80s are more likely than teenagers to have a hard time with the virus.

However you can't really have shielding over 70s as a policy that will leave the country running as they are active people, he argues.

Prof Pennington says the intention has been to protect those at risk of going into intensive care if they catch the infection - but he says most over 70s will not have that kind of infection and the increased risk actually starts at 60.

The shielding group are at the very top of the risk period and then the over 70's are coming down, explains the professor of bacteriology at Aberdeen University.

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

John Scott QC begins: "Police Scotland have done an extraordinary job in a very short space of time."

Scotland is "ahead of the game" on scrutinising the new powers through the prism of human rights via his advisory group and the involvement of the statutory human rights bodies, he tells MSPs.

"The idea of policing by consent has been given fresh life through a crisis and through the way Police Scotland has managed to speak with a single voice," Mr Scott adds.

He suggests the fact the police force in Scotland can speak with one voice has avoided the confusion and mixed messages seen elsewhere in the UK.

Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland

"There will be days when you feel 'I'm okay, I'm on top of it' and others when you feel absolutely wretched," says Marie Price, clinical psychologist, on the topic of shielding.

She tells BBC Radio Scotland: "But so many people are counting their blessings, saying 'we're the lucky ones' and I think that's really important. Yes, it's a dire situation, but if there is something you can appreciate and hold on to, maybe that's the thing that going to get us through.

"People need to stay informed and make the decisions that are right for them.

"Whether we are two or 102, we all benefit from a social connection. If there are ways to maximise that connection, online or face to face, that is going to be so important for the shielding group over these next six weeks."

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

The Justice Sub-Committee on Policing meeting has begun.

MSPs will first hear from John Scott QC, who chairs the advisory group on the use of temporary police powers.

ON GMS and Mornings with Kaye Adams there have been a couple of callers who are over 70 have been seeking advice.

Here's the government advice for those in the high risk group but not the shielding group:

Those most at risk are strongly advised to reduce unnecessary contact.

People over 70 and those who have high risk and underlying health conditions are being strongly advised to stay at home as much as possible and significantly reduce unnecessary social contact.

The advice is that people should:

• minimise social contact by avoiding crowded areas and large gatherings, including religious congregations and smaller gatherings such as restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs, cinemas and gyms
• avoid using public transport as much as possible
• work from home when possible
• follow the latest health and travel advice, and follow basic hygiene precautions, such as washing hands frequently, not touching their face and covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing

• Find out more about the high risk group here., external
• Support for those at high COVID-19 risk, external

A national helpline has been set up to provide essential assistance to those who don’t have a network of support but who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19.

The helpline is 0800 111 4000

Here's the link for support for the shielding group:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): shielding support and contacts, external

Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland

"I think I'm at the stage where I may be doing more harm by isolating," says Rikki Moug, who says the experience is "living my worst nightmare" while shielding from coronavirus.

The 37-year-old, who lives alone, has a rare condition with poor lung function but was not included on the original government list of the most vulnerable and therefore did not have access to shopping services or any other kind of support.

Rikki was relying on friends and her 70-year-old father to provide support until a conversation with her GP got her categorised properly.

Yesterday, it was announced that those shielding should continue to do so until the end of July, with the proviso that outdoor exercise may be advised from 18 June.

However, Rikki has already decided to venture out for her physical and mental wellbeing.

"At the beginning of lockdown, it appeared that I was very high risk," she tells BBC Radio Scotland. "Now, with more information available, it seems I'm still vulnerable, but I'm not overweight, I'm not diabetic and I'm not over 70.

"I'm doing shielding-lite. I will be as cautious and careful as possible, stay at home most of the time, but I am going out for exercise."

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

Holyrood's Justice Sub-Committee on Policing is meeting today to discuss policing during the pandemic.

MSPs will hear from John Scott QC, who chairs an advisory group on the use of temporary police powers, from 10am. Chief Constable Iain Livingstone will give evidence from approximately 10:50am.

Image source, Perth Picture Agency

Emergency powers were introduced in March to allow the police to enforce lockdown. These new powers included:

• detaining someone for testing if they believe they are infectious;
• closing non-essential businesses;
• restricting a person's right to move around or take part in a gathering;
• handing out fixed penalties to anyone caught flouting the social distancing rules.

1. Coronavirus (COVID-19): shielding support and contacts, external

The government has today asked people to continue to shield and to stay at home until at least the end of July. The link above provides information about support for those in the shielding group. It also details the change expected to allow those shielding at home to exercise outside from 18 June.

2. Support for those at high COVID-19 risk: , external

A national helpline has been set up to provide essential assistance to those who don’t have a network of support but who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19.

The helpline is 0800 111 4000

The service offers help to those who do not have family or existing community support and cannot get online and who are over 70, disabled, require the support of mental health services, are pregnant or receive a flu jab for health reasons.

This service is in addition to localised support already available for people who have received letters advising them to shield themselves. However, any of those in the shielding category who are not yet receiving assistance, who do not have family and cannot get online can access support via this new helpline.

Here's a couple of other useful links:

3. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 1: staying at home and away from others (physical distancing), external

This is the guidance for the first phase of easing the lockdown. We are still currently in phase one..

4. Test and Protect, external

If you have Covid-19 symptoms go immediately to NHS Inform online or phone 0800 028 2816 to book a test

5. NHS Inform, external

The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing, face covering and stay at home advice.

Good Morning Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, getty

Calum Steele, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said anyone spitting or coughing on a police officer in a "Covid-19 assaults" should be automatically held in custody until they appear in court.

MSPs will shortly take evidence on this and other issues relating to the pandemic from Scotland's Chief Constable Iain Livingstone. You can watch the committee live here with us.

Mr Steele told Radio Scotland that current criminal justice policies favoured those committing offences over officers enforcing the lockdown.

Five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this morning.

Good Morning Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, Alamy

Concerns have been raised about vulnerable people who are not on the official coronavirus shielding list.

People considered by the NHS to be most at risk of becoming seriously ill or dying from the virus have been advised to stay at home until 31 July.

But Sally Witcher, of the Inclusion Scotland charity, said the definition of those who should be shielding was too “narrowly defined” and more tailored advice was needed for people at high risk but not officially shielding.

Good Morning Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland