Coronavirus: Scots warned after car shares are linked to 1,000 new COVID-19 infections in the space of a week

Scots are being warned to avoid car sharing after it was linked to 1,000 new coronavirus cases over a seven-day period.

Nicola Sturgeon said people from different households should only share a private vehicle if it is "essential".

At her daily news conference in Edinburgh, Scotland's first minister added: "According to our most recent figures, more than 1,000 people who tested positive for COVID in the previous week reported sharing a car.

"Now that doesn't mean that's where they all got the virus, we've gone through this before.

"People give this information to Test and Protect, but it is possible that some of these people got the virus from somebody they were sharing a car with."

It comes after the NHS trust in the Western Isles said it had "become aware" car shares were a transmission factor.

The advice against car sharing has applied throughout the pandemic, which gives specific guidance on how people can protect themselves from catching COVID-19.

People should:

• Keep to small groups of people, up to six at any one time

• Keep their distance and take care entering and exiting the vehicle

• Sit as far apart as possible in the vehicle

• Maintain good ventilation by keeping the car windows open

• Wear a face covering, unless they are exempt

• Clean their hands before and after the journey

• Clean the door handles and other areas that people touch

• Try and share with the same people each time, if multiple journeys are needed