Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed major changes to the current Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in Scotland.
From May 17 Scotland will be able to move to Level 2 of the coronavirus roadmap, allowing for a significant relaxation to the current rules.
One change announced ahead of schedule was the relaxation of social distancing rules for meeting outdoors.
Nicola Sturgeon said this would allow people to hug friends and relatives who they meet with.
Speaking at her update, the First Minister explained that the current case levels allow for most of the country to move to Level 2 of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
No change for Moray
Restrictions for the Scottish islands will ease more quickly, moving directly to Level 1 from Monday.
Ms Sturgeon said it was probable that Moray would remain in Level 3 due to an increase in cases. A final decision will be made on Friday.
If the decision is to keep Moray in Level 3, travel in and out of the area from the rest of Scotland will be banned.
Nicola Sturgeon explained the area was experiencing case rates at some three times the level of the rest of Scotland.
She added: “In recent days Moray has been experiencing a high and increasing number of cases with a small associated increase in hospital admissions.
“It is therefore highly probable, though a final decision will be taken at the end of the week, that Moray will remain in Level 3 for a further period – though I hope it will be a relatively short one.”
What are the changes?
The most significant changes are around social gatherings, with the ban of household visiting lifted.
Up to six people from three households will be able to meet in a home and even stay overnight.
The First Minister explained this limit had been increased from initial plans.
She said: “It was initially intended that, at Level 2, up to four people from no more than two households could meet indoors.
“However, we consider that it is possible now to go further. So from Monday, up to six people from three households will be able to meet indoors in each other’s houses.”
Social gathering limits in full
- Six people from three households can meet in an indoor public place like a café, pub or restaurant
- Eight people from eight households can meet outdoors
Hugging friends and family can begin again
Nicola Sturgeon announced a further extra easing ahead of schedule, announcing that if Scots are meeting outdoors or in a public place there will be no need to maintain social distancing.
Explaining what that meant, she said: “Which means – and I actually feel a bit emotional as I say this – that from Monday, as long as you stay within permitted limits, you can hug your loved ones again.”
But the announcement came with a warning: “I know how desperate we all are for this – and so I don’t intend to immediately pour cold water on it – but there are two further points I really need to make.
“Firstly, it remains vital to be cautious and ease restrictions carefully. For the next 3 weeks at least, the easing of the guidance on physical distancing applies to permitted gatherings in our own homes and gardens only.
“However, over that period, we will conduct a wider review of the need for physical distancing in public indoor places and set out the conclusions of that at the next review point.”
Scots were also urged to be cautious if taking advantage of the easing of physical distancing rules.
“Close physical contact does still carry risk, I have to be clear about that. So if you have loved ones who are vulnerable for any reason, please still be careful. And limit the overall number of people that you choose to have close physical contact with,” Ms Sturgeon said.
Hospitality rules
Hospitality rules will also change, allowing restaurants and pubs to open indoors until 10:30pm. This will include the sale of alcohol.
The First Minister said that over the last week there had been a slight increase in cases despite significant progress.
She added that we must remain vigilant, warning areas could move to higher levels to “apply the brakes” when required.
Public events
Other changes including the resumption of some smaller-scale events.
Outdoor seated and open space events are advised to operate with a maximum capacity of 500 people. For outdoor standing events the limit will be 250.
Small seated indoor events will be limited to 100, allowing cinemas and theatres to reopen.
“A number of venues will be able to reopen – including cinemas, theatres, concert halls, comedy clubs, amusement arcades, casinos, snooker halls and bingo halls,” the FM said.
Travel restrictions set to change
Nicola Sturgeon also announced a “highly cautious” change to travel restrictions, bringing Scotland in line with the rest of the UK.
She said this was possible because the UK Government had made sufficiently cautious decisions on travel.
But Ms Sturgeon stressed that despite the change people should not assume non-essential international travel is desirable, urging people to opt for staycations where possible.