'IT has been a difficult time for many people recently with the COVID-19 virus and resulting restrictions, and myself and my constituency office staff have been inundated with queries about how best to deal with aspects of the current situation. I would like to thank everyone who has been heeding the message of the Scottish Government to stay home, stay safe and protect the NHS.

I realise that guidance from the UK Government may feel confusing and conflicting but most of it will simply not apply to Scotland. We have a UK Prime Minister who spent most of his televised “Address to the Nation” last Sunday evening speaking solely to the people of England. The three other nations that make up the UK: Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, have stayed true to the “Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.” message and only England has changed stance, encouraging people to go back to work where they can.

In Scotland, the scientific evidence simply does not point to us being in a place where we are able to start encouraging people to go back to work. To open everything up again at the moment would be dangerous and would put lives at risk. This is something Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Government are simply not prepared to accept.

I would like to thank all of the wonderful community organisations who have done so much to help people during this difficult time. A special mention must be made of Collydean Community Centre, in Glenrothes, who are doing an amazing job. They have a helpline for people in the local area who can request help with prescriptions and food and have recently received a funding award to help people connect to the internet who haven’t been able to before, such as elderly people who haven’t had access to the technology and training before

I couldn’t be prouder of how our communities are coming together to get through this and Kat's Mission, a charity based in Kinglassie, has been doing some sterling work throughout the current crisis, putting together food parcels for families and goody bags with crafting supplies etc for children, to help them through the lockdown. Thank you to everyone who has helped in their local community to keep people safe.

Remember, during COVID-19, you’re not stuck at home, you’re safe at home'.