ST Johnstone and Hibs fans have been urged to follow public health guidelines on Scottish Cup final weekend.
Speaking ahead of today’s match, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged fans not to gather in big groups to watch the game, either in pubs or in people’s homes.
“That is still against public health rules and is not safe in the current situation we face,” she said.
Sturgeon also urged supporters of the winning team that “no-one should be congregating anywhere in large numbers at the moment”.
But overall she said she “continued to hope and indeed expect” that over the summer restrictions could continue to be eased, taking Scotland “back to a much greater degree of normality”.
READ MORE: Eight things to take away from Nicola Sturgeon's update as lockdown levels reviewed
Sturgeon said more detailed work setting out what could happen would be published in the coming weeks.
“We still have really good and really strong grounds for optimism,” she said.
Hampden will be empty for today’s game after plans for a 600-strong crowd were shelved when Glasgow suffered a setback in its route out of lockdown.
The final comes a week after an estimated 15,000 Rangers fans gathered in Glasgow to celebrate their team’s title success.
Violent scenes developed which resulted in five police officers being injured, at least 28 arrests, and police in riot gear dispersing crowds from George Square.
St Johnstone chair Steve Brown urged supporters not to gather at McDiarmid Park.
Brown told fans: “We know you will be gathering in and around Perth for the game and we want you all to enjoy yourselves and, hopefully, see the team winning the Scottish Cup.
“All that we ask is that you remember to follow the Scottish Government guidelines during these unprecedented times.
“Please resist any urge to gather at McDiarmid Park before, during or after the game.
“It’s vital for the health and wellbeing of all, that fans should not gather in large groups and that everyone sticks to the regulations in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus – the restrictions are the same for everyone and no-one should congregate anywhere in large numbers.”
READ MORE: Rangers begin legal proceedings after police find 'no criminality' in player video
Meanwhile Hibernian chair Ron Gordon asked fans for their “support and patience”.
“Please, cheer the team on, but please do it with your friends and your family and do it within the Government restrictions that are there to protect us all,” he wrote.
“Let’s not be part of anything that risks the progress made in tackling the pandemic.”
In a statement yesterday, Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said while today is an important day for the teams and fans, following guidance is “vital” to preventing the spread of Covid-19. He also reminded fans that the use of pyrotechnics is “extremely dangerous”.
“Police Scotland is already working with both teams and our partners, including the Scottish Government, to ensure the match goes ahead safely and supporters follow the restrictions for their own safety and that of the wider public and our officers,” he said.
He added that while officers aim to engage with the public, they would not “hesitate to use enforcement powers as a last resort”.
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