The First Minister has today provided an update with on the coronavirus restrictions and confirmed that Moray will move to Level 1 from Saturday 5 June, while many areas of Scotland will stay under Level 2.
Highland and Aberdeenshire will also move to Level 1.
MSP Richard Lochhead said: “The move down to level one restrictions will be warmly welcomed by folk across Moray, particularly for those businesses that will have more flexibility when the changes kick in at the weekend.
“Just a couple of weeks ago Moray was in a challenging place with a serious local outbreak but we’ve come a long way and thanks to the efforts of health and social care staff, public health teams, and of course the public, we’re now moving in a much more positive direction.
“Of course as restrictions are eased it remains essential for everyone to stick with the guidance and to keep taking extra care to keep our communities safe.”
From Saturday 5 May:
- Up to 6 people from 3 different households can meet indoors. This includes overnight stays and you do not have to physically distance from people when meeting in private homes.
- Up to 12 people from 12 different households can meet outdoors.
- Up to 8 people from 3 different households can meet indoors in a public place, such as a café or restaurant.
- Travel to areas in Level 1 and Level 2 is permitted, but not to areas in Level 3 unless for an essential reason.
- Travel between Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland allowed.
- All shops, stores and close contact services can open.
- Hospitality venues like pubs, cafés and restaurants can open until 11pm (indoors, alcohol permitted) and under local licensing laws (outdoors, alcohol allowed).
- Soft play and funfairs can now open.
- Weddings and funerals (including post-funeral events and receptions) can take place with up to 100 people.
MP Douglas Ross added: “I’m very pleased that restrictions in Moray will be eased further starting on Saturday, which will allow those businesses which have been prevented from operating fully, such as hospitality and tourism to get back to some sort of normality. This is what I have been calling for and what businesses have been hoping for.
“As I have said previously this is due in no small way to the response by the NHS to step up the vaccination and testing programme and the response of the public here in Moray to these.
“However, with many areas of Scotland remaining under tighter restrictions, I believe it would be more appropriate for the Scottish Government to adopt a more targeted local approach now, so we can move forward together as much as possible in future. The old approach is no longer suitable given the success of the vaccination roll out across the country.
“As I have said before, people and businesses in Moray and all over the country have made extraordinary sacrifices in recent months and this is positive news for many, but many businesses continue to need support and it would have been good today if the First Minister had set out some more detail about this.
“It is vital that we all continue to stay vigilant so we can move to Level zero in the future.
“You should get your vaccination when it is offered and continue to take precautions, such as social distancing and regular testing so we can continue to keep this virus at bay.”
