All major Covid restrictions to be lifted in Scotland by August 9th
The Scottish Government also plans to move the whole country to coronavirus protection level 0 on the 19th of July
Scotland should be moving to coronavirus protection level 0 on the 19th of July - with an end to all restrictions, including the need to physically distance, planned for the 9th of August.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, the First Minister confirmed changes to the current restriction levels in Scotland, initially planned for the end of June, will be postponed until mid-July.
Rising cases mean a more cautious approach is needed
Nicola Sturgeon said rising case numbers are behind the delay, after 2,167 cases were recorded in Scotland in the past 24 hours - the highest daily figure since January 8.
However, she set out a series of vaccination milestones and said if these and other criteria are met the majority of restrictions could be lifted by August 9.
Addressing MSPs she said: “Our assessment - on balance and assuming we meet the necessary conditions on vaccination and harm reduction - is that it would be possible and proportionate to lift the major remaining legal restrictions on 9 August.
“We will consider and make a final assessment nearer the time of whether - as we hope - this could include the lifting of the legal requirement to physically distance indoors as well as outdoors.”
"A return to almost complete normality"
She added: “The move beyond Level 0 will be a major milestone and it will signal a return to almost complete normality in our day to day lives.
“Of course, while this is a longed-for moment, it is important to recognise that we still have a difficult path to navigate over the next few weeks to meet these milestones and, even assuming we do, the pandemic will not be completely over at this stage.”
Good news for some couples getting married
Today’s update also confirmed live entertainment will be allowed at wedding receptions from next Monday, and couples will no longer need to wear masks down the aisle. Wedding suppliers will also be excluded from guest numbers.
The move to Level 0 in July will further ease restrictions on weddings and funerals, with up to 200 guests permitted to attend and the indoor physical distancing requirement reduced from two metres to one metre.