Covid-19 Lockdown Phase 3

Guide to reopening and scaling up over the remainder of Phase 3. Not all details are shown. Please refer to guidance for more details. Relevant guidance and public health advice (such as physical distancing rules and enhanced hygiene measures) will apply to all changes shown. These indicative dates will be delayed if the status of the epidemic deteriorates in Scotland.

Confirmed dates

Pause Shielding from August 1. Relax certain restrictions on some support groups and services and for sports coaches – once relevant guidance is implemented, from August 3. Routine eye care services can be provided within community optometry practices and in patients’ own homes, from August 3. From August 11: Children to be able to return to school fulltime. Expect a phased return over the week with all children back by August 18. Urgent dental care involving aerosols may begin to be provided in practices for NHS patients from August 17.

August 20 Review Indicative date: Monday 24 August

Live events (outdoor) – with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene, and restricted numbers – following guidance. Organised contact sports (outdoors) – all ages – following the guidance of relevant sports bodies Bingo halls (with physical distancing and following guidance). Funfairs – static and travelling – following guidance. Amusement arcades and casinos – following guidance (incl. enhanced hygiene). Snooker/pool halls, indoor bowling – following guidance (incl. enhanced hygiene). Driving lessons can resume – following guidance.

September 10 Review Indicative date: Monday 14 September

Gyms (indoor) – following guidance (incl. physical distancing and enhanced hygiene). Will keep under review to consider whether an earlier reopening date is feasible. Swimming pools (indoor) – following guidance. Will keep under review to consider whether an earlier reopening date is feasible. Soft play (indoor) – following guidance (incl. enhanced hygiene). Live events (indoor) – following guidance (eg with physical distancing and restricted numbers). Other indoor entertainment venues (eg theatres, live music/concert venues) following guidance such as physical distancing requirements. (Does not include nightclubs.) Indoor sports courts – with physical distancing – following guidance (incl. skating, dance studios). Will review whether indoor classes for children can resume earlier or an earlier reopening date is feasible. Stadia (limited reopening) – following guidance (eg physical distancing, restricted numbers) – with option for testing on earlier dates where agreed.

Not before September 11 – Await further review

Non-essential offices and call centres can reopen following implementation of relevant guidance (including on physical distancing). Working from home and working flexibly remain the default.

Public Services continue to scale up and reopen safely including NHS Mobilisation Plan

Public transport continues to scale up to full services during Phase 3 with a move to one metre physical distancing, subject to appropriate risk mitigations, releasing further capacity in vehicles and vessels.