Covid update as Scotland heads towards level zero

People should continue to follow public health measures to protect one another as Scotland moves to level zero at on Monday July 19.

On Tuesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged people to adhere to protective measures and sensible precautions to help create conditions that allow Scotland to move beyond level zero on August 9.

From Monday, physical distancing will reduce to one metre in all indoor public settings and outdoors.

Informal social gatherings of up to 15 people from 15 households will be allowed outdoors without physical distancing.

Gatherings of up to 10 people from four households will be permitted in all indoor public settings with one metre physical distancing.

Other changes include:

under-12s will not count towards the number of households that can gather indoors in public spaces and homes

hospitality settings can open until midnight, if their current licence permits and customers will no longer need to pre-book a two-hour slot to go to a pub or restaurant but will still need to give contact details to assist Test and Protect

up to 200 people will be able to gather at weddings and funerals

Employers are asked to continue to support home working where possible until Scotland moves beyond level zero.

From 4am on Monday July 19, travellers who are fully vaccinated through a UK vaccination programme and children arriving into Scotland from amber list countries will not need to self-isolate and take a day-eight test, but adults and children over 12 will still take tests before travelling and on day two after arrival.

Anyone testing positive for or experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 will still need to isolate for 10 days.

The first minister said: ‘We are easing restrictions next week – but we are not abandoning them.

‘We will also keep in place for now certain other measures – such as the requirement to wear face coverings, co-operate with test and protect teams and comply with advice on good hygiene and ventilation.

‘As we continue to complete the vaccination programme, which does offer us still the route back to greater normality, we will make it easier for more restrictions to be gradually and sensibly lifted in the weeks ahead.’

The first minister will update parliament again in the week before August 9.