First Minister confirms further easing of lockdown measures in Scotland
But there's bad news for anyone hoping to celebrate in a beer garden this weekend
Lockdown restrictions in Scotland will be eased further, but not all of the elements in phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s route map are being introduced just yet.
The First Minister has confirmed people who live on their own or only with children under 18 can now form an “extended household group” from Friday. This means they can meet indoors without physical distancing and can stay overnight.
Announcing the changes in a statement at the Scottish Parliament, Nicola Sturgeon said there has been “clear and sustained” progress in tackling the virus.
“Though we are moving to phase two today, we are still being cautious and we are not going to do everything at once,” she said.
“We will take a staged approach to avoid bearing all of the risk at the same time.”
The second phase of the four-step plan to ease lockdown had suggested that beer gardens and outdoor seating areas in restaurants could be opened, however, the First Minister said she is “not able to give a date for that just yet”.
She added: “There is emerging evidence that places such as pubs, restaurants and gyms can be hotspots for transmission. It is important that we better understand this evidence, and what further mitigation might be necessary to protect people in such spaces, before we permit them to open.
“I appreciate this will be hard for the hospitality industry. I want to give an assurance to businesses in that sector that we will continue to support preparations for reopening - for example by encouraging local authorities to facilitate the use of open outdoor spaces which pubs and restaurants can use for additional space.
“I expect to have this further scientific advice in two weeks and I will set out then, hopefully on or around 2 July, whether outdoor hospitality can re-open during phase 2 - which I hope will be the case - or if further mitigations are required ahead of phase 3.”
Face coverings will be mandatory on public transport in Scotland from Monday.
From Friday, people will be able to meet two other households at the same time while outside, with no more than eight people gathered at a time.
Scots are urged to stay within a roughly five-mile radius of their home for recreational purposes.
People will also be able to go inside to use the toilet when meeting in someone else's garden, the First Minister added.
She also confirmed those who are in the shielding category will be able to go outside for exercise from Friday, as well as be able to meet people from one other household, as was the case for the general public in phase one, so long as social distancing measures are adhered to.
From Monday, the First Minister said, the Scottish construction sector will move to the next phase of its restart plan, dentists will be able to open, professional sport can resume and places of worship will be able to reopen - although only for individual prayer and not services.
From June 29, outdoor markets, playgrounds and sports facilities will reopen in Scotland, along with attractions such as zoos and “garden attractions”, although visitors should not travel more than five miles from their homes and tickets should be bought in advance.
Non-essential shops will also be able to open from this date if they have outdoor entrances and exits.
Restrictions on moving house will also be dropped and weddings will be allowed to go ahead but only if they are outdoors and with “limited numbers”.
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