EASTER revellers have been shot a warning from the top brass over following Covid rules as lockdown is eased in time for the bank holiday. 

The legal stay at home order changed to stay local this Good Friday as warm weather is predicted for today and tomorrow. 

But Malcolm Graham, Police Scotland's Deputy Chief Constable, has warned the public against becoming too relaxed about the rules. 

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He said: "People should not travel outwith their local authority area except for essential purposes. While Easter weekend is traditionally a time for visiting friends and family, I would urge people to stay local and follow the regulations on gatherings."

Amid widespread reports of littering after people took to parks to enjoy some brief spells of sunshine last month, he added: "If you are visiting beauty spots within your local area, do so safely and respectfully – leaving no trace of your visit. Please also park responsibly to allow emergency access

"Our approach throughout the pandemic has been to engage with the public, explain the legislation and encourage compliance, but we will not hesitate to use our enforcement powers as a last resort."

Nicola Sturgeon said continued suppression of the virus "will allow us to enjoy many of the things that we took for granted before the pandemic - for example, normal family gatherings where we can hug our loved ones, sporting events, gigs and nightclubs," as she announced the easing of lockdown restrictions.

She said she hoped that vaccination and Test and Protect would lead Scotland closer to normality, but added she could not say when restrictions would be fully lifted.

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"For me to set a precise date for all of that right now would involve plucking it out of thin air - and I'd be doing it to make my life easier, not yours," she said.

"I am not going to do that. But I do believe that over the coming weeks, as more and more adults are vaccinated, it will be possible to set a firmer date by which many of these normal things will be possible.

"I am optimistic that this date will be over the summer.

"I know I will not be the only one now looking forward, with a real sense of hope, to hugging my family this summer."