THIS WAY OUT OF LOCK DOWN (EVENTUALLY)
From schools to shopping, from pubs to picnics... how Scotland will slowly start heading back to normality
SCHOOLS
THE second phase of school reopening will begin with the rest of primary school pupils – those in primary four to seven – returning to full-time education.
This will also allow for more secondary pupils to return to the classroom to complete practical work in small numbers.
UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE
Small numbers of students – no more than 5 per cent – will be allowed to return to face-to-face teaching. This will be for ‘priority students’ studying courses where it is ‘critical’ for them to be in university or college buildings.
NON-CONTACT SPORT
Outdoor sport and training will resume for 12 to 17-year-olds – however, this will not extend to contact sports.
SOCIALISING
Scots will be able to meet up in groups of up to four people from two different households outdoors.
STAY AT HOME:
The stay-at-home restriction is scheduled to be lifted.
SCHOOLS
The third and final phase of school reopening will commence – with all secondary pupils allowed to return to face-to-face teaching in the classroom.
SOCIALISING
The stay-at-home message will be removed – meaning there will no longer be a legal requirement to stay in. People will be able to leave their households for reasons other than essential purposes, and could see a move back to places of work or additional socialising.
RELIGION
Places of worship will be allowed to open with restricted numbers at any one time. Up to 20 people will be allowed to enter buildings and join in religious ceremonies and prayer.
RETAIL
The list of essential retailers will be expanded – but Nicola Sturgeon has failed to set out what this could include. The first retailers allowed to open in 2020 were garden centres and DIY shops. Restrictions on click-and-collect services will be removed for nonessential retail.
SOCIALISING
People can meet outdoors in groups of up to six with no more than two households. Children under the age of 12 from these households do not count towards the total number of people counted in a gathering. Children under 12 do not need to maintain physical distance from others. This is to allow children under 12 to play with their friends outside. Young people aged between 12 and 17 can meet up in groups of up to six at a time outdoors and are not subject to the two-household limit. Physical distancing is required.
HOSPITALITY
Hospitality venues including cafes, restaurants and pubs will be allowed to open for the first time in 2021 – but must close by pm. The sale of alcohol is not
permitted indoors or outdoors. The maximum number of people you are allowed to meet indoors and outdoors in a restaurant, café, pub or bar is six, which can be from up to two separate households. Children under the age of 12 from these households do not count towards the total number of people permitted to gather indoors in a public place but they do count towards the maximum of two households who are permitted to meet. Table service and the wearing of facecoverings (unless exempt) when not seated by all customers is mandatory in all hospitality venues. Takeaways are allowed – of both food and alcohol.
TRAVEL
Those living in Level 3 areas cannot travel out of their areas – other than for work, education, shopping, health reasons, outdoor exercise, transit and weddings/funerals.
SHOPPING
All retailers can open providing they follow and have implemented Scottish Government guidance to ensure the safety of customers and staff.
GROOMING
Hairdressers and barbers can operate with additional protective measures in place. Mobile services are not permitted.
GYMS
Indoor individual exercise is permitted, with gyms allowed to open with additional measures and social distancing measures in place. However, gym classes and group exercise are not allowed indoors – but can take place outdoors.
WEDDINGS/FUNERALS
Weddings, civil partnerships and funerals can take place with up to 20 people in attendance.
TRADESPEOPLE
All tradespeople can work in other people’s homes, providing they follow guidance on working safely. This includes all in-home workers such as utility engineers, domestic cleaners, furniture delivery and installations.
DRIVING LESSONS
These are permitted under Level 3.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Public buildings such as libraries or community centres can open to the public.
VISITOR ATTRACTIONS
All indoor and outdoor visitor attractions such as museums, galleries, educational and heritage attractions, zoos and aquariums can open providing there are physical distancing and hygiene measures in place. Face coverings indoors are compulsory for all visitors and staff. Visitor attractions with retail and hospitality facilities can open.
NO DATE YET
Miss Sturgeon has indicated that the easing of restrictions will happen over periods of three weeks in the coming months, with areas moving down through the level system. However, she has yet to determine dates for this and how it will happen. There could be slight changes to the levels system that was introduced last year.