Level 2: What you can do

Only Glasgow city and Moray aren't making the move to Level 2 today.

Author: Selena JacksonPublished 17th May 2021
Last updated 17th May 2021

Coronavirus restrictions have relaxed in Scotland, with most mainland areas moving to Level 2 as the country progresses out of lockdown.

Only Glasgow city and Moray will remain in Level 3 due to virus outbreaks.

So what does the easing mean?

Socialising indoors

Up to six people from three households can socialise indoors in a private home or garden.

Six people can also meet in a hospitality venue and eight people from eight houses can meet outdoors.

Hugging

The need for social distancing inside homes or in gardens is being scrapped.

Announcing the change on Tuesday, the First Minister said: "I actually feel a wee bit emotional saying this, from Monday, as long as you stay within permitted limits, you can hug your loved ones again,'' she said.

Drinking alcohol inside

A number of changes have also taken place for the hospitality industry.

Pubs can open and sell alcohol indoors until 10.30pm in two-hour booked slots. Local licensing laws will apply outdoors.

Leisure

Cinemas, theatres, concert halls, music venues, comedy clubs, amusement arcades, casinos, snooker halls and bingo halls can open.

Outdoor and indoor events can also resume with maximum capacities indoors of 100, outdoors seated of 500 and outdoors free-standing of 250.

Adult contact sport can restart outdoors and non-professional performance arts can resume outdoors.

International travel

There are also changes taking place around international travel to and from Scotland, with the "traffic light'' system now being used.

On Sunday, national clinical director Jason Leitch urged caution as the rules relaxed.

He said: "We have decided, with advice, that on Monday the rest of the country is safe to move to the next stage.

"But we all said the hugging, the increased hospitality, that should all be done very cautiously.

"So don't go crazy but we think it can be kept under control.''

Hear all the latest news from the North East of Scotland on Northsound 1. Listen on FM, via our Rayo app, DAB, or smart speaker.