The First Minister has provided an update on the coronavirus restrictions and the vaccination programme, as well as confirming the move to Level 0 for the whole of Scotland from Monday 19 July but with some changes to the original plans.
Face coverings will remain mandatory in shops and public transport “for some time to come”.
She said: “This is a time for continued caution and a more gradual easing to protect the health of the public, in particular those who are vulnerable – easing all restrictions in the face of the challenges from the Delta variant would be a huge risk.”
The gradual return to working from offices will be postponed until 9 August, when the Scottish Government aims to remove remaining legal restrictions.
From Monday 19 July
- A maximum of eight people from four different households can meet indoors.
- A maximum of 10 people from four different households can meet indoors in a public place like a cafe or pub.
- A maximum of 15 people from 15 different households can meet outdoors.
- Under 12s will no longer count towards both the limit on people and the different household limit.
- Up to 200 people can attend weddings and funerals.
- Maximum of 2,000 people seated and 1,000 standing at outdoor events and a maximum of 400 people indoors.
- Hospitality able to open until midnight and no requirement for customers to book a two-hour slot but will still need to provide contact details and wear face coverings when not seated.
- Physical distancing in indoor public places, where there is not already a 1m rule, will be reduced to 1m. Physical distancing in outdoor public places will be required between different groups of 15 but not within each group.
- The gradual return to offices from Level 0 delayed until we move beyond Level 0 to reduce number of people meeting in enclosed indoor environments.
- Those arriving from amber list countries will no longer have to isolation on arrival in Scotland, provided they are double vaccinated and return a negative PCR test.
- Once we move beyond Level 0, the blanket self-isolation of all close contacts will be removed provided they are double vaccinated and return a negative PCR test.
- Advice is being gathered on the removal of self-isolation of young people who are close contacts in education settings. A further update and decision on this will be taken before the return of schools.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said: “I’ve no doubt that the changes to restrictions from next week will be welcomed by folk in communities across Moray.
“As restrictions continue to ease off it becomes even more important that we stick to the guidance and to follow advice on hygiene and social distancing, so I would urge people to continue to act with care.
“The virus hasn’t gone away and it is right that we take a cautious and sensible approach to easing restrictions to ensure that we keep our communities safe. That need for a careful approach also means that rules on face coverings will continue to be in place for some time to give protection to those that are vulnerable.
“Vaccinations are key to us getting through this pandemic and I would urge anyone in Moray who hasn’t yet taken up the offer of a vaccine, to get a jab as soon as possible.”
The next full review of the protection levels will take place on Tuesday 3 August ahead of the potential move beyond Level 0 from Monday 9 August.
