Fans may be back at McDiarmid in 7 weeks
Shielding also paused by FM
Perth football fans got the news they had been waiting for yesterday when it was revealed they may be able to watch their beloved St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in seven weeks time.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that limited numbers of fans may return to sports stadiums and indoor sports courts from September 14.
The Perth faithful last got to see their side live in action in a 1-0 win over Livingston on March 7, and it will come as welcome news with the new season kicking off this weekend.
Social distancing guidelines will be enforced in the stands, but Ms Sturgeon did stress it is an “indicative date” at this stage and may be subject to change.
Among a number of other changes, it was announced gyms and leisure centres in Perth and Kinross will also have to wait until September 14 at the earliest before they can reopen.
The cautious approach is because Scotland is to remain in phase three of the route map out of lockdown until September 11, subject to ongoing assessments.
During a COVID-19 update in the debating chamber on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon also confirmed that schools can return on August 11, with all pupils to be at school full-time from August 18 at the latest.
Perth and Kinross schools are scheduled to start welcoming students back on August 12 in a phased return until August 17.
Staff will be asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines between each other and pupils, but pupils in the same school are not required to do so between each other.
A full Perth and Kinross Council meeting was due to discuss details of the school return yesterday, but the meeting was still ongoing when the PA went to press.
It was also confirmed that from tomorrow (August 1) the advice for people who are in the shielding group will be paused.
They can now follow the guidance for the general population and will be asked to follow rules on face coverings, hand hygiene and physical distancing.
From August 24, live events such as concerts and comedy will be allowed outdoors – with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene and restricted numbers.
The first minister also confirmed that people who test positive for coronavirus or show symptoms must now self-isolate for at least 10 days, rather than seven.
At the briefing the first minster said: “I am very pleased to confirm that schools will return from August 11.
“Given how long children have been out of school, some local authorities may opt for a phased return over the first few days.
“But we expect all pupils to be at school full-time from August 18 at the latest.”
Talking about shielding, she added: “Be assured we are pausing it now because we do believe it is safe to do so.
“If circumstances change, our advice will change too. The virus has not gone away and remains a danger.
“I promise we will do everything we can to get things back on track as soon as possible.”
The FM also announced that 17 more cases have been confirmed in Scotland taking the total to 18,597.
Meanwhile, official figures released on Wednesday showed there were no deaths with COVID-19 as a suspected factor in Perth and Kinross last week, with the total number remaining at 70.