Nicola Sturgeon unveils phase three measures

FM urges Scots not to drop guard as nation moves ahead with route map to normality

Scots will be allowed to visit multiple households and stay overnight for the first time since March after Nicola Sturgeon unveiled the “most significant milestone yet” in Scotland’s journey out of lockdown.

The first minister confirmed the country is ready to enter phase three of her route map for lifting restrictions but warned the coming weeks will be a “time of real danger” as officials try to prevent a resurgence of coronavirus.

Ms Sturgeon said phase three is expected to last longer than previous stages and “may well” stretch beyond the next review of restrictions on July 30.

The SNP leader said it was “undoubtedly a time for cautious hope” but warned the public to keep up their guard and avoid crowded places “literally like the plague”.

She added: “Now is not the time to drop our guard. Let’s all keep doing the right things, to keep ourselves safe, protect others and save lives.”

Under the new rules, Scots will be able to meet with up to two other households indoors from today in groups of up to eight. Groups of up to 15 people, from a maximum of five different households, will also be able to meet outdoors.

Couples who do not live together will no longer have to physically distance and people will be able to stay overnight with a different household.

From Monday, organised outdoor play and contact sports can resume for children and young people under 18, non-essential shops inside shopping centres can reopen, and dental practices can see registered patients for “nonaerosol” procedures.

Ms Sturgeon confirmed indoor pubs, restaurants and cafés will reopen from July 15 and exemptions from the current two-metre social distancing rule will be available for some businesses that introduce “mitigating measures”.

These include clear information for customers, revised seating plans, and for all hospitality venues, recording contact details of customers to help support the test and protect programme.

Scotland’s tourism sector will reopen on the same date, as well as childcare, hairdressers and barbers. Museums, galleries, cinemas and libraries will also open from Wednesday, with strict measures in place.

Places of worship will reopen for communal prayer, congregational services and contemplation with limited attendance numbers and physical distancing – although final guidance for faith leaders is still being finalised.

Restrictions on attendance at services and ceremonies for funerals, weddings and civil partnerships will be eased, although full-scale gatherings are still not permitted and some mitigation measures will remain.

Ms Sturgeon also set a date for the first time for the reopening of personal retail services such as beauticians and nail salons, which will happen from July 22.

Universities and colleges will be able to implement a phased return to campuses from the same date, and the first minister said she remains committed to schools reopening fully from August 11.

No date has yet been set for the reopening of “non-essential” offices, indoor gyms, entertainment venues and bingo halls, or the resumption of live outdoor events.

“Scotland has made great progress in tackling Covid,” she said.

“We should all savour our first indoor meetings and meals with friends, our first pint in a pub or catch up over coffee. Many of us are looking forward to our first non-amateur haircut in months.”

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Scotland has made great progress.

NICOLA STURGEON