Path paved for shops in Scotland to reopen from June 29 – but no-go yet for hospitality sector as nation moves to phase two of coronavirus route map
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Scotland is to move gradually through phase two of the coronavirus route map, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
In the Scottish Parliament this afternoon First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a series of measures to further ease the lockdown.
These will be implemented over the next week and beyond.
The only immediate change is for people in the shielding group who have been required to stay indoors since lockdown began.
From today they can now go outdoors for exercise.
From tomorrow they will also be able to take part in non-contact outdoor activities such as golf and can meet outdoors with people from one other household, so long as they are in groups of no more than eight people and maintain social distancing.
They should not go into anyone else's house and should let no one who does not live with them into their home either.
For all others, from tomorrow, people from one household will be allowed to meet with up to two other households, together or separately.
Meetings should be with no more than two other households per day and should still involve no more than eight people.
Significantly these households can go into each other's houses – but only to use the toilet if necessary. The bulk of meetings should still take place outdoors.
"We judge that the risk of gatherings indoors is still too high," the First Minister said.
Restrictions are also being relaxed for those who live alone, and adults living only with children under 18.
From tomorrow such households will be permitted to form an "extended household group" with one other household.
In those cases the extended group will be able to visit each other's homes and will not be subject to social distancing rules while doing so.
These should not involve anyone who is shielding but will allow couples living apart to meet together indoors for the first time.
Ms Sturgeon admitted that anything involving peoples' living and family arrangements were "complex" and there would be "many, many questions" about how or whether individual circumstances fit with the new instructions.
She urged people, if they were in doubt: "Please your judgment and err on the side of caution."
Further changes taking place on Monday include: the construction sector being allowed to move to the next stage of its retsart plan; the reopening of dentists for urgent care; and the resumption of professional sport behind closed doors.
Other changes include: reopening of indoor workplaces including factories, labs and warehouses (subject to socal distancing and other safety requirements), though non-essential offices and call centres should remain closed.
Outdoor markets will also be allowed to reopen, along with outdoor playgrounds and outdoor sports centres.
Zoos and public gardens can also reopen from that date, though people should till not be travelling more than five miles to attractions and, where they are ticketed, these should be bought in advance.
Restrictions on moving house will also be lifted; registration offices will reopen for essential business; and marriages and civil partnership ceremonies will be allowed again so long as they take place outdoors and involve limited numbers of people.
Places of worship will also reopen – but for individual prayer only, not larger gatherings.
Further changes are then planned for Monday, June 29.
From that date all shops which have outdoor entrances and exits will be allowed to reopen though indoor shopping centres will remain closed except for access to essential retailers such as supermarkets and pharmacies.
Ms Sturgeon asked that, as customers return to shops, they realise they have a role to play in making the return successful.
"Please exercise patience, stick to the measures that are in place for our safety and respect the retail staff who will be asking you to shop in a slightly different way," she said.
In what will be a blow to many in the hospitality sector, as well as their customers, the First Minister also said today that at this stage, pubs and restaurants with outdoor space, such as beer gardens, would not yet be allowed to bring customers into those areas.
"I am not able to give a date for that just yet," she said.
She said there was "emerging evidence" that places like pubs and gyms can be "hotspots" for virus transmission and she had commissioned further advice on the matter, with the hope a date for reopening here can still be announced as part of phase two slightly later on.
She also ruled out reducing the two-metre social distancing rule currently in place, though many in the hospitality industry have said that makes it impossible for them to operate on a financially viable basis.
Again she said this would be subject to further review.
Face coverings on public transport will now become mandatory for all passengers with the exception of children under five and people with breathing difficulties or with a disability that makes it difficult for them to keep a covering in place.
The Scottish Government is consulting on whether face coverings should also be mandatory in shops, with the aim of reporting further on that before June 29.
Defending the cautious approach to easing lockdown the First Minister said: "Progress is clear and substantial, but is only possible because of the efforts and enormous sacrifice people across Scotland have made.
We must still exercise care and caution.
"Patience could reap our biggest reward."
