THAT’S A DATE , NICOLA
First Minister says there are brighter days ahead as she announces plans to come out of lockdown
NICOLA Sturgeon has announced key dates for easing lockdown restrictions.
Pubs, shops and restaurants will begin to reopen next month.
NICOLA Sturgeon insisted “brighter days are ahead of us” as she announced the dates for coming out of lockdown.
Pubs, restaurants and shops will open from the end of next month and Scots will be able to visit loved ones indoors in May.
The First Minister said: “This is certainly the most hopeful I have felt about the situation for a long time.”
Scotland has been in and out of lockdown for nearly a year in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus.
Current restrictions include a “stay at home” requirement, a travel ban, plus the closure of hospitality venues and non-essential retail.
However, lockdown and the vaccination programme have allowed the Scottish Government to reopen schools on a phased basis.
Addressing MSPs at Holyrood yesterday, Sturgeon said the lockdown imposed in December was a “dark moment” in an “unbelievably tough year”, but insisted the country is in a “much brighter position”.
She said: “As we move into the summer, an even greater degree of normality – hopefully something much closer to actual normality, with the ability to hug those we love – will become possible. All of that should fill us with optimism.”
The First Minister said she expected the “stay at home” rule to be ditched on April 2 and replaced by “stay local” guidance.
Three days later, contact sports for 12 to 17-year-olds should resume and more students will have on-campus learning. On the same date, the reopening of click and collect retail services, homeware stores, car showrooms and garden centres is expected.
Hairdressers and barbers are also pencilled in for reopening on April 5. Sturgeon said that by mid-April, she expected everyone over 50 and adults with underlying health issues to have been offered a first vaccine dose.
Reaching this milestone, Sturgeon said, will give the Government confidence to go even further on April 26, when all parts of Scotland currently in Level 4 will move down to a modified Level 3.
She added: “We expect that from April 26, restrictions on journeys within mainland Scotland will be lifted entirely.”
At the same time, the First Minister said she expected all remaining retail premises to reopen, as well as tourist accommodation, libraries, museums, galleries and indoor gyms.
She said pubs, restaurants and cafes will have a phased reopening from April 26. At this point, these venues will be able to serve customers outdoors – in groups of up to six from three households – until 10pm, including alcohol.
She added: “We also hope, though this in particular depends on continued suppression of the virus, that there will be limited indoor opening of hospitality from April 26 too. This will be limited initially to the service of food and non-alcoholic drinks until 8pm, and for groups of up to four people from no more than two households.”
On May 17, indoor hospitality could return to “greater normality” with alcohol served – though Sturgeon cautioned that it could be subject to restrictions such as two-hour slots.
She said that on May 17, people will be able to meet inside each other’s homes – initially in groups of up to four from no more than two households.
The Government hopes that cinemas, arcades and bingo halls will reopen from that date too.
Sturgeon did not offer a precise date for when Scots can hug loves ones, or attend sporting events, gigs and nightclubs, but she added: “Our hope and ambition is that from early June, all of Scotland will move to Level 1 – which will allow for a further easing of restrictions. And by the end of June, we hope that all of Scotland will move to at least Level 0.”
Scottish Licensed Trade Association managing director Colin Wilkinson said: “This is not the news we were hoping for. Yes, it’s good news for those bars, restaurants and cafes with suitable facilities who will be able to serve people outdoors – in groups of up to six from three households – until 10pm from April 26. However, for indoor hospitality, today’s news is yet another bitter blow.”
Andrew McRae, the Federation of Small Businesses’ Scotland policy chair, said: “These indicative dates allow many firms to plan ahead and the restrained optimism from the First Minister may encourage some small businesses not to throw in the towel. However, while we look to be winning the race against the virus, we still face a countdown to save our local businesses before their reserves of cash and resolve are exhausted.”
This is the most hopeful I have felt about the situation for a long time
NICOLA STURGEON STRIKES OPTIMISTIC NOTE