Nicola Sturgeon asks 'is going for a drive-thru coffee essential?' after queues of 'up to 40 minutes' at Edinburgh Costa

The FM did not mention Costa Coffee however the question came after an Evening News report yesterday

The Edinburgh Evening News told yesterday that the Costa drive-thru at Cameron Toll reopened over the weekend and locals in the surrounding area reported seeing ‘around 20’ cars queuing at a time to be served with the queues lasting ‘up to 40 minutes’.

Although the coffee chain was not directly referred to, the question of whether or not it was an essential trip was brought up at today’s COVID-19 daily press conference.

Ms Sturgeon said: "The most immediate task is to get the virus under more control than it is right now, and I cannot stress that enough.

"We really are at the critical stage. This means asking you again to stick rigorously to the current rules. It means asking you to think hard about your own compliance and tightening that if anything now, not easing up on it.

“If you have been going out a bit more than you should, please rectify that. Please stay home, except for essential purposes and remember that this stage essential purposes only means food supplies, medicines and daily exercise.

"You should ask yourself if going for a drive-thru coffee is really an essential journey.

"Our light at the end of the tunnel will get brighter as the days go on, and we will find our way through.

"Please keep doing the right things and thank you for everything you are doing to comply."

Massive tailbacks at recently reopened Costa drive-thru were reported around the UK as 29 branches returned over the weekend.

A spokesperson for Costa said: “In line with the re-opening of a small number of drive-thru lanes and delivery stores, we’ve ensured strict measures have been put in place aligned to Government guidelines.”