Nicola Sturgeon: Covid travel rules to change from Friday

Scots will enjoy relaxed coronavirus lockdown rules around travel from Friday, Nicola Sturgeon says.

Because of improved infection rates, Nicola Sturgeon says the government plans to accelerate the change to rules on travel.

The First Minister told Scots the country has made enough progress in bringing the pandemic under control to continue easing lockdown restrictions. 

The travel rule change will allow people to travel across Scotland to meet up to six people from six different households outdoors.

It was previously announced that from April 26 there would be several key changes to the restrictions that have been in place since January.

Ms Sturgeon confirmed these changes will likely go ahead as planned from that date, with a move to level two restrictions due around May 16.

The change will allow pubs, bars, and restaurants to serve alcohol outdoors. It will also permit non-essential retailers to reopen.

The government also hopes to lift restrictions on travel, with the ban on travelling to other local authority areas lifted.

What will change from April 16

• Travel across Scotland will be allowed for people to meet up to six others from up to six households.

What will change from April 26

• All retail premises, libraries, museums and galleries, tourist accommodation will be able to open.
• Pubs, bars, and restaurants will be able to reopen and serve alcohol outdoors, and potentially open indoors for non-alcohol service.
• Up to four people from two households will be able to socialise indoors in a public place such as a café or restaurant.
• The limit on wedding and funeral attendance could be raised to 50 people.
• Gyms and swimming pools would be open for individual exercise and non-essential childcare would be permitted.
• Non-essential work in people’s homes and driving lessons could resume from this date.

Ms Sturgeon says significant progress has been made in reducing the number of new cases each day.

“Back in early January, we were recording more than 2,000 new cases on average every single day. We are now recording around 300 each day.

But she says people need to remain cautious despite rates of infection falling, ensuring we do not do too much at once.

Nicola Sturgeon also confirmed that the Scottish islands would remain in level three to allow travel between the mainland.

Vaccine rollout

It came as Scotland recorded a further 221 new cases of the virus, with the Scottish Government confirming three new deaths from the virus.

It means the total death toll in Scotland from Covid stands at 7,633 among people who tested positive for the virus.

133 are in hospital, down 21 on the previous day.

“Virtually all” over-60s have now also had their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, Nicola Sturgeon said.