A significant easing of lockdown
This week will see the most significant easing of lockdown so far.
Restaurants and pubs will be able to welcome customers indoors from today (Wednesday), as will hairdressers and barbers, all subject to social and physical distancing measures and enhanced hygiene measures , of course.
The tourism sector will also open back up along with museums, cinemas, libraries and other visitor attractions. All of this has been possible thanks to the efforts that you have all made these past few months in suppressing the virus and following the difficult, but necessary, restrictions. It is important to remember that the virus has not gone away which is why we must continue to follow some basic preventive measures, remember FACTS,
Face coverings in enclosed spaces Avoid crowded places
Clean hands and surfaces regularly Two metre distancing
Self isolate & book a test if you have symptoms: at www.nhsinform. scot/coronavirus
Those who have been advised to shield will also be able to travel further than 5 miles from their house, book places to stay, such as self-catering accommodation, and use toilets in other people’s houses if they are meeting them outdoors.
The decision on whether infection levels are low enough to allow shielding to be paused from August 1 will be announced before the end of July. I know how hard it has been for those shielding, and their loved ones, and I do not want to ask anyone to live under those restrictions longer than they have to.
But we have now reached a point where restrictions can be carefully eased a bit more because the risk to those shielding is now lower than before, and we know that easing shielding has benefits for both physical and mental health.
Further shielding advice can be found on www.mygov.scot/shielding and on NHS Inform or the free national helpline number on 0800 111 4000.
My constituency office remains closed but staff continue to work remotely and can be contacted on 01290 425876 during normal office hours or by getting in touch via my website at jeanefreeman.scot.