FM reveals restrictions for residents in region
People in Perth and Kinross must not meet in groups any larger than six as of Monday to prevent any further spread of the coronavirus, the first minister announced yesterday.
Nicola Sturgeon also said sports stadia, theatres, live music venues, indoor contact sports facilities and soft play areas, which had been scheduled to reopen on Monday, will need to stay shut for at least another three weeks because of a rise in cases across the country.
In addition the SNP MSP announced people working in pubs, restaurants and cafes will be required to wear masks when facing customers as of Monday, as will patrons when not sitting down to either eat or drink.
Ms Sturgeon told Holyrood yesterday: “I can confirm that it is the Scottish Government’s judgement that we cannot at this stage risk the new opportunities for transmission of COVID that reopening further services and facilities would entail.
“The new indicative date for their resumption is Monday, October 5, however I must stress ... that this remains an indicative date. A final decision can only be taken much nearer the time.”
She continued: “I’m well aware that for people affected by today’s pause, this is a very hard message to hear.
“I know how long you have waited to start up again or to resume more of your activities ... and I know the impact of continued closure.
“I want to stress that this decision to delay the indicative date by three weeks has not been taken lightly, but right now, given the rise in cases, it is the only responsible decision we can reach.”
The first minister went on to say that people working from home will remain “the default position” until the end of this month but added that the government was working with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scottish Trades Union Congress to plan “for a safe, phased reopening” of workplaces “when circumstances allow”.
Ms Sturgeon said the only exceptions to the new so-called ‘rule of six’ on social gatherings as of Monday would be weddings, funerals and civil partnerships. She encouraged people to stick to the new meetings rule straight away but it will not become law until Monday.