This included the “stay at home” order, including once-a-day exercise and employees working from home where they can.
Ms Sturgeon stated: “Let me blunt. The stringent restrictions on our normal day to day lives that I’m about to set out are difficult and they are unprecedented.
“They amount effectively to what has been described as a lockdown.”
The tight measures came into force the next day.
Today marks the third anniversary of that first lockdown annoucement, and we look back through the archives to what Edinburgh looked like during those dark days, often under sunny skies, when the city looked liked a ghost town.
Take a look through our photo gallery for a reminder of what life was like in Scotland’s capital city.
. 13 eerie photos of Edinburgh from first lockdown in 2020
These 13 eerie photos show Edinburgh’s empty streets during the early days of the first lockdown in 2020 Photo: Third Party
. Union Canal
A few people ventured out to exercise on the Union Canal. Photo: Photographer: Scott Louden
6. Spring Gardens
The street was completely empty in Spring Gardens. Photo: Photographer: Scott Louden
7. Craighouse Rd
All work has stopped on the development in Craighouse Road. Photo: Photographer: Scott Louden
8. Leith Street
A sign at a bus stop outside John Lewis warns the public to stay at home. Photo: Photographer: Scott Louden